Israel–Turkey relations

Turkish Customs and Trade Minister Bülent Tüfenkçi said Dec. 25 that if an agreement with Israel was reached after five years of tense relations, it would allow Turkish products to enter Gaza more easily. 

Answering questions at a news conference with members of the Economy Correspondents' Association, Tüfenkçi said Tel Aviv would allow Turkish products to enter Gaza.

The latest example of how foreign policy has been "instrumentalized" and put in the service of shallow domestic political considerations in Turkey comes from Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu, the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). 

The thaw in Turkish-Israeli relations has climbed to the top of the agenda in terms of foreign policy and domestic affairs. It was just the opposite of previous talks when Turkey set out the conditions; this time, Israel is playing the "Hamas" card. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reluctant to make any agreements as long as Turkey's support for Hamas continues.

The main objective of Turkey's attempt to normalize ties with Israel is to provide more help to Palestinians, the Turkish prime minister has said, vowing the state will never take steps that would "sadden" the people of Palestine. 

U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby welcomed Dec. 21 a potential agreement between Israel and Turkey to improve the tense relations which have been simmering for more than five years. 

"We've seen reports of a potential agreement between Israel and Turkey to restore diplomatic relations," said Kirby during a daily press briefing on Dec. 21.

Israel was led to pursue better relations with Turkey due to the overwhelming victory of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the Nov. 1 elections, Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu has said.

In an apparent bid to single out practices of the elected Israeli government which are disreputable for the Turkish government from the broad framework of the bilateral relationship with Israel, a senior executive of Turkey's ruling party has said the "friendly" nature of relations with both "the Israeli state and the Israeli people" were undisputable for Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an met with Khaled Mashaal, leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, on Dec. 19 in Istanbul, Turkish presidential sources said, a day after Israel and Turkey said they were close to patching up a five-year political rift. 

Five years after the Gaza flotilla raid, Israel and Turkey have finally reached an understanding on a reconciliation agreement.

For those who have been following Turkish-Israeli relations closely, it was not a surprise. Even before the elections, there were signals of a possible thaw between the two countries.

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu has welcomed reports of possible rapprochement between Turkey and Israel, suggesting that it was "already expected."