Turkey will soon send a ship in coordination with aid for residents of the Gaza Strip, for the second time since Israel and Turkey signed a reconciliation agreement. The ship will leave Turkey next month, apparently bearing 5,000 tons of cargo for the benefit of the Gaza Strip, including flour, sugar, rice, seeds, toys, clothing, diapers, etc.
It is believed that the ship will arrive in Ashdod on September 9, in advance of the Eid al-Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice) Muslim holiday. Coordination has already begun in recent days between the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the IDF, and Ashdod Port and the Turkish authorities in Ankara concerning the ship's voyage. The goods it bears will be unloaded at Ashdod Port, and after undergoing a security check, will be sent to the Gaza Strip on trucks. The procedure is the same as with the cargo brought by the first Turkish ship, the Lady Leyla, which carried humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip early this month for the first time since the agreement with Turkey was signed ending the severe crisis between Israel and Turkey following the Israel Navy's taking possession of the Mavi Marmara six years ago.
The Lady Leyla brought 10,000 tons of goods to the Gaza Strip, and in view of the great sensitivity in relations between the two countries, was given priority in handling at Ashdod Port.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 18, 2016
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