Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: World Economic Forum.

Following Israel’s apology to Turkey over the May 2010 raid of the Mavi Marmara, the process of negotiating the restitution payments is underway.

Israel is reportedly willing to pay $100,000 to each family of the nine Turkish activists killed on board on the Mavi Marmara, while Turkey is reportedly demanding $1 million for each family.

The two countries agreed to establish a joint committee to deal with the restitution issue, according to Israel Hayom. Israel’s negotiating team will be led by National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidror and Dr. Joseph Ciechanover, and Turkey’s will be led by Deputy Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioğlu.

Israel prefers that the restitution payments be transferred via a humanitarian fund, rather than paid directly to the families.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç confirmed on Tuesday that formal negotiations regarding financial restitution have begun, according to the agreement reached between Netanyahu and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Additionally, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu told reporters in Ankara that he discussed the restitution payments with Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni as part of the restoration of ties between the two countries.

Erdoğan on Tuesday briefed the Turkish parliament on the Israeli apology over the raid, which ended a three-year diplomatic crisis between the once-close allies, and reiterated his intention to visit Gaza Strip to “further inspect the issue of the blockade.”