By Janet Ekstract
İSTANBUL- On Friday, Turkish President Erdogan spoke to Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressing positive sentiments toward future relations between the two countries. Erdogan told Herzog that he is looking forward to developing cooperation and dialogue that takes the sensitivities of each country into account. The two leaders, who spoke by phone, discussed bilateral relations and regional issues. Erdogan commented that a new momentum will occur between Israel and Türkiye after the mutual appointment of ambassadors, calling it “an important step” in future relations.
Meanwhile, Herzog commented on Twitter that he and Erdogan spoke about restoration of full diplomatic relations between the two countries as well as the return of ambassadors along with consuls-general. The two also discussed resuming flights from Israel to Türkiye. As Herzog said: “We welcomed the development and expressed our hopes for future progress.” The Israeli leader thanked Erdogan for what he said was his “critical contribution” to the recent Ukraine-Russia grain agreement and for Erdogan’s recent meetings with Putin and Zelensky. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced on Wednesday that steps to normalize relations between Israel and Türkiye would move ahead. Cavusolgu commented in a press conference: “The steps we would take to normalize relations include mutually reappointing of ambassadors…Türkiye decided to appoint an ambassador to Israel, to Tel Aviv.” Despite resuming diplomatic relations, Cavusoglu made one thing clear: “We will continue to defend the rights of Palestine, Jerusalem and Gaza, and it is important that our messages are conveyed directly to Tel Aviv at the ambassador level.” What spurred relations between the two countries was Herzog’s visit in March, during an international rabbis conference that saw Erdogan extend a personal dinner invitation to the rabbis at the Presidential Palace in Ankara where they had an opportunity to exchange and share views with the Turkish leader.
