Intensification of efforts to strengthen Turkish-Israeli relations
Turkish President Erdogan stressed the need to exert all possible efforts to promote stability in the Middle East. He added that relations with Israel are moving towards tangible progress in the economic and commercial fields.
This statement is proof of the Turkish president’s intention to end his differences with Israel. He has attacked it many times under the pretext of defending the rights of the Palestinian people and supporting the besieged Gaza Strip.
He quoted during the meeting with the Turkish Jewish community and members of the Coalition of Rabbis in Islamic Countries, in the presidential palace of the capital, Ankara: “We do not want to have tension or conflict in this ancient geographical area that houses the holy sites of each of the three monotheistic religions”.
He stressed that any measures to be adopted on the Palestinian issue would not only lead to the security and stability of the Palestinians but also of Israel.
Continuing: I, therefore, give priority to our rekindled dialog with both Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Isaac Herzog.
Erdogan pointed to the vital necessity of Turkish-Israeli relations in the security and stability of the region.
He pointed out that the relations between the two countries are developing positively in the economic, trade, and tourism fields, despite the differences on the Palestinian issue.
Indeed, despite the recent strained Turkish-Israeli relations, economic cooperation between the two countries is advanced, estimated at billions of dollars and encompassing various fields.
The Turkish President’s goal in the past years was to gain the sympathy of the Arab and Islamic public opinion by attacking Israel from time to time; in its approach to Middle East expansion, but these policies are no longer popular.
Erdogan has attacked some Arab countries that have peace agreements with Israel under the pretext of normalization, but his position changes with the development of Turkish-Emirati relations, as it shows that the Palestinian issue is no longer one of his concerns.
Israel has repeatedly called on Turkey to reconsider its relations with the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) if it wants to bridge differences with Hamas, which has a number of its leaders living in Turkish cities.
Israel accuses Turkish leaders of plotting to carry out deadly attacks inside Israeli cities. Mossad has uncovered several cells in the West Bank, led by Hamas officials based in Turkey.
