Israel: Normalization of relations talks with Turkey stopped

Israel announced on Friday that the talks it started with Turkey a few months ago to normalize the two countries' relations have been completely stopped. According to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, the announcement came while Israel avoided releasing any statement regarding reports of Turkey's blowing the cover of an Israeli spy ring in Iran. An Israeli official noted that security cooperation between Ankara and Tel Aviv was limited, adding that the talks to normalize the relations regarding the Israeli attack on the Mavi Marmara ship had halted years ago, said the newspaper. The official also accused Ankara of destroying Israel's efforts to fix the situation with Turkey, despite Obama's efforts to resume the talks between both sides, added the newspaper. The official also noted that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was considered an enemy in Israel, accusing the PM of working with Israel's enemies, that is Iran. The Israeli army had launched an attack against the ship which was a part of a flotilla to send aid to Gaza in 2010, killing and injuring a large group of Turkish activists. Israel had apologized for the ship incident, yet it did not come to an agreement with Turkey on how to compensate the victims' families.