Following a frosty decade, Israel and Turkey restore full diplomatic ties
Israeli PM Lapid called this “an important asset for regional stability and very important economic news for the citizens of Israel.” The countries share many regional, military and economic interests
Mandi Kogosowski
| 18/08/2022
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu holds a press conference with Israeli counterpart (and current prime minister) Yair Lapid in Ankara, June 23rd. 2022. Photo: Necati Savas/Pool via REUTERS
Israel and Turkey have restored full diplomatic ties yesterday (Wednesday), and will reappoint respective ambassadors and consuls general, more than four years after they have been called back.
Flight by Israeli carriers between both countries will also be resumed soon, and the latter will also send a delegation to the Joint Economic Commission convening which will take place in Israel next month.
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke on the phone last night, and thanked one another for the recent development of bilateral relations following dialogue between them and reciprocal visits by the two foreign ministers.
Both leaders agreed that this latest development is an important additional level in the strengthening of relations that will lead to many achievements, especially in the fields of commerce and tourism, and in maintaining regional stability.
Diplomatic relations between both countries were strained in the first decade of the 2000, and worsened following the Mavi Marmara flotilla raid in 2010.
Relations came to a boiling point in 2018 when – following the killing of dozen of Palestinians by Israeli forces during protests on the Gaza border – Ankara expelled the Israeli ambassador, to which Jerusalem immediately replied by doing the same to the Turkish ambassador.
Over the past year or so both sides have been hard at work to defrost relations between the countries, share many regional, military and financial interests. This morning, Israeli media has reported that a potential visit by Erdoğan is in the works and might take place soon.
“The resumption of relations with Turkey is an important asset for regional stability and very important economic news for the citizens of Israel. We will continue to strengthen Israel's standing in the world," said Lapid in a statement issued last night.
Lapid visited Ankara in June, while serving as israel's foreign minister.
Similar words were offered by Erdogan, who stated that “Upgrading relations will contribute to deepening ties between the two peoples, expanding economic, trade, and cultural ties, and strengthening regional stability.”
Turkey’s foreign minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, assured that his country will not abandon its attempts to support the Palestinians and help resolve the conflict with Israel. "We are not giving up on the Palestinian cause," Çavuşoğlu told reporters yesterday.
"It is important for our messages to be conveyed directly through the ambassador on the Palestinian issue,” added the foreign minister, who visited Israel in May. He was quoted on the Daily Sabah.
"I commend the renewal of full diplomatic relations with Turkey – an important development that we've been leading for the past year, which will encourage greater economic relations, mutual tourism, and friendship between the Israeli and Turkish peoples,” said Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who traveled to Turkey at the invitation of Erdogan in March.
“Good neighborly relations and the spirit of partnership in the Middle East are important for us all. Members of all faiths – Muslims, Jews, and Christians – can and must live together in peace."
Israeli PM Lapid called this “an important asset for regional stability and very important economic news for the citizens of Israel.” The countries share many regional, military and economic interests
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu holds a press conference with Israeli counterpart (and current prime minister) Yair Lapid in Ankara, June 23rd. 2022. Photo: Necati Savas/Pool via REUTERS
Israel and Turkey have restored full diplomatic ties yesterday (Wednesday), and will reappoint respective ambassadors and consuls general, more than four years after they have been called back.
Flight by Israeli carriers between both countries will also be resumed soon, and the latter will also send a delegation to the Joint Economic Commission convening which will take place in Israel next month.
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke on the phone last night, and thanked one another for the recent development of bilateral relations following dialogue between them and reciprocal visits by the two foreign ministers.
Both leaders agreed that this latest development is an important additional level in the strengthening of relations that will lead to many achievements, especially in the fields of commerce and tourism, and in maintaining regional stability.
Diplomatic relations between both countries were strained in the first decade of the 2000, and worsened following the Mavi Marmara flotilla raid in 2010.
Relations came to a boiling point in 2018 when – following the killing of dozen of Palestinians by Israeli forces during protests on the Gaza border – Ankara expelled the Israeli ambassador, to which Jerusalem immediately replied by doing the same to the Turkish ambassador.
Over the past year or so both sides have been hard at work to defrost relations between the countries, share many regional, military and financial interests. This morning, Israeli media has reported that a potential visit by Erdoğan is in the works and might take place soon.
“The resumption of relations with Turkey is an important asset for regional stability and very important economic news for the citizens of Israel. We will continue to strengthen Israel's standing in the world," said Lapid in a statement issued last night.
Lapid visited Ankara in June, while serving as israel's foreign minister.
Similar words were offered by Erdogan, who stated that “Upgrading relations will contribute to deepening ties between the two peoples, expanding economic, trade, and cultural ties, and strengthening regional stability.”
Turkey’s foreign minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, assured that his country will not abandon its attempts to support the Palestinians and help resolve the conflict with Israel. "We are not giving up on the Palestinian cause," Çavuşoğlu told reporters yesterday.
"It is important for our messages to be conveyed directly through the ambassador on the Palestinian issue,” added the foreign minister, who visited Israel in May. He was quoted on the Daily Sabah.
"I commend the renewal of full diplomatic relations with Turkey – an important development that we've been leading for the past year, which will encourage greater economic relations, mutual tourism, and friendship between the Israeli and Turkish peoples,” said Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who traveled to Turkey at the invitation of Erdogan in March.
“Good neighborly relations and the spirit of partnership in the Middle East are important for us all. Members of all faiths – Muslims, Jews, and Christians – can and must live together in peace."
