Exclusive: Can Palestine Sign Maritime Deal with Turkey?

Palestinian Ambassador to Turkey told Turkish media that Palestine is ready to sign a maritime deal with Ankara and cooperate on natural resources in the eastern Mediterranean. 

In this regard, Political Science Professor in Jerusalem University Ayman Rigib told SEE News early Tuesday that the timing of the announcement of the demarcation of the maritime borders between Palestine and Turkey is uncomfortable.”

[caption id="attachment_133746" align="aligncenter" width="674"] Palestinian Political Science Professor Ayman El Rigib- File Photo[/caption]

He added that “The Palestinian ambassador’s statements are uncomfortable in light of Turkey's attack on the Arab lands, especially Libya, and Turkey's endeavor to take advantage of the current conditions in Libya and the demarcation of its maritime borders with Libya.”

“These statements support Turkey in its occupation of some Arab lands in Syria, Iraq, and Libya,” Rigib told SEE News. 

The Palestinian political expert pointed out that “I also believe that the Israeli occupation will not allow the Palestinian Authority to negotiate the maritime demarcation.” 

Israel believes that the Gaza Strip’s maritime borders are placed under its control. 

“Tel Aviv does not allow the Palestinians to enter the sea for a distance of more than 10 miles.”

Moreover, Rigib indicated that “Last year, Palestine took part in establishing a gas management group in the Mediterranean along with Egypt, Jordan, Cyprus, Italy, Greece and Israel,” revealing that “Turkey did not take part in that meeting.” 

[caption id="attachment_83799" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Egypt, Cyprus, Greece Slammed Turkey Over Sea Drills[/caption]

“The sensitivity of the matter requires wisdom from the leadership of the Palestinian Authority,” he added.

“The PA should consider that matter carefully and not take an irrational response.”

In a response to a question about the authenticity of the statements quoted from the Palestinian Ambassador in Ankara, Fayez Mustafa, and published by Turkish local media, Rigib said that “The statements are made by the Palestinian Ambassador to Turkey and they may be made to appease the host country.”

“The PA cannot sign a maritime deal with Turkey without obtaining Israel’s approval,” the Palestinian expert said.

[caption id="attachment_129256" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Turkish Fatih Drill Ship[/caption]

It’s noteworthy that the Palestinian Ambassador to Turkey Faed Mustafa told the Aydinlik newspaper on Monday that the Palestinian Authority could follow Turkey’s maritime delimitation deal with Libya, and sign its own agreement.

"We are open to every idea that deepens our relations with Turkey, and this includes a deal on exclusive economic zones,” the PA envoy added.

Palestine's Maritime Borders

He pointed out that “We also have rights in the Mediterranean,” noting that “Palestine has shares in oil and gas located in the eastern Mediterranean.”

“We are ready to cooperate in these areas and sign an agreement,” he stated.

Mustafa said that Israel was restricting the efforts of the Palestinians to carry out exploration and drilling activities in the offshore Gaza gas field, which was discovered in 1999, approximately 30 kilometers from the besieged coastal strip.

The field, which is estimated to contain one trillion cubic feet of gas, has been inactive for nearly 20 years since its discovery. 

The Palestinian ambassador stressed that "We could not benefit from the gas because of the Israeli pressure."

The Palestinian territories with the Gaza Strip enjoy a coastline along the eastern Mediterranean, making them eligible for maritime rights.

In November last year, Turkey signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of National Accord, based in the Libyan capital Tripoli, to define the marine areas in the eastern Mediterranean, in an attempt to block further exploration activities for Greek and Cypriot energy in the region.

World countries including Greece and Cyprus declared their condemnation of that “illegal and illegitimate deal.” The European Union also opposes the maritime deal that was signed alongside an agreement for Turkey to provide military support to the GNA.