(Foreign Policy) Aykan Erdemir - A surprising thaw seems to be afoot between Israel and Turkey, former close partners whose relations nosedived under Turkish President Erdogan. The Turkish leader's growing isolation in the Eastern Mediterranean and economic woes at home are forcing him to reach out to his sworn enemy. Israel is treading carefully, given Erdogan's frequent anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli vitriol. High on the list of Israel's concerns is Erdogan's unwavering support for Hamas. Ankara has granted Turkish citizenship and passports to senior Hamas operatives. The Turkish government also condemned the Abraham Accords that normalized relations between Israel and several of its erstwhile Arab adversaries. Given Erdogan's poisoning of relations with Israel over the last two decades, it will take time and effort to rebuild trust. The writer, senior director of the Turkey program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, is a former member of the Turkish parliament.
2022-02-14 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive