Israeli and Turish flags
State responds to High Court petition against Turkey deal, goods arrive
State argues that deal was negotiated by the executive and should remain within its purview; first aid shipment from Turkey to Gaza arrived at crossing.
In response to a petition to the High Court of Justice opposing the reconciliation agreement with Turkey, the state released on Monday details regarding funds transfers to banks in the Gaza Strip and projects benefitting its civilian population. The petition was filed by bereaved families and the Otzma Leyisrael organization by Shurat HaDin—The Israeli Law Center and the lawyer Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The petition to the High Court argues that the agreement should be conditional "on distancing Hamas leaders from Turkey and ceasing Turkish support for Hamas."
In its response, the state claimed that the petition must be rejected outright on the grounds that the deal is a "a clear political agreement whose execution is at the core of the discretion granted to the Israeli government for running the state's foreign affairs and security." The response expanded that the High Court of Justice usually refrains from interfering in such political-defense matters, which are better suited for the executive branch.
Turkish aid at Gaza border (Photo: AFP)
The state annexed to its response a copy of the agreement, which states that Israel shall pay $20 million to a bank account "that will be opened by the Turkish government to compensate the families bereaved from the flotilla incident."
An appendix to the agreement states that Israel welcomes Turkish initiatives "for projects for the benefit of the population in Gaza," including exporting goods to the Strip and transferring funds from Turkey via banks authorized to operate in Gaza. The appendix also states, "Israel welcome's Turkey's willingness to build a desalination plant in the Gaza Strip."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Photo: AP)
Sunday night, an aid ship from Turkey arrived at the Ashdod port carrying food, medication, and toys. After security inspection, the goods are intended to enter the Gaza Strip following the agreement's signing.
Monday morning, the first truck from the Turkish transport ships arrived from Ashdod Port at the Kerem Shalom crossing. The truck contained a shipment of toys (dolls and teddy bears) as well as diapers in cartons bearing the Turkish flag.
Ministry of Defense Crossing Authority personnel and COGAT (Coordinator of Government Activity in the Territories) officials unloaded the goods and are preparing them for transfer into Gaza.
