Sunday
Nov222009
Middle East Analysis: A Restoration of Relations between Turkey and Israel?
Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 9:37
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On Sunday, Israel's Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer --- the only Cabinet member to attend Turkey’s Republic Day reception --- is flying to Ankara to secure an $183 million commercial deal. Before his departure, he said: "Turkey has a very special place in my heart and special relationship with Israel. As a democratic Muslim country, Turkey has the ability to bridge the gaps between us and our neighbors and help promote normalization and coexistence in the region."
Meanwhile, Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul issued an ultimatum to Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Elbit Systems to fulfill the long-delayed supply of 10 unmanned aerial vehicles to the Turkish military within the next 50 days. He warned, "If this letter does not bear fruit either, the tender may be canceled. But there is no cancellation at the moment."
So the immediate deal is commercial links and an easing of Israel's military restrictions on Turkey. However, Ben-Eliezer may have another issue on the agenda. Is Israel prepared to propose Turkey's mediation between Damascus and Tel Aviv in return for a normalization of relationsrestoring the position from before the Gaza War? Ben-Eliezer said, "I hope my economic and political talks will make it possible to get the important relations between Israel and its Turkish strategic partner back on track. Turkey has special ties with Israel, and as a regional and democratic-Muslim power."
And if so, is this the end of French adventurism in the Middle East or merely a tactical manoeuvre to decrease the tension between Ankara and Tel Aviv? Given that talks between Syria and Israel have been stuck due to the "no pre-condition" pre-condition and given that Turkey has been following a "zero-problem" policy with its neighbours, how sustainable is Ankara's "honesty" towards Tel Aviv?
Turkey’s Erdogan to Israel: “Syria Will Never Come to Table without Me!”
Turkey’s Concern over the First European Union President
Receive our latest updates by email or RSS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEED
Buy Us A Cup of Coffee? Help Enduring America Expand Its Coverage and Analysis
On Sunday, Israel's Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer --- the only Cabinet member to attend Turkey’s Republic Day reception --- is flying to Ankara to secure an $183 million commercial deal. Before his departure, he said: "Turkey has a very special place in my heart and special relationship with Israel. As a democratic Muslim country, Turkey has the ability to bridge the gaps between us and our neighbors and help promote normalization and coexistence in the region."Meanwhile, Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul issued an ultimatum to Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Elbit Systems to fulfill the long-delayed supply of 10 unmanned aerial vehicles to the Turkish military within the next 50 days. He warned, "If this letter does not bear fruit either, the tender may be canceled. But there is no cancellation at the moment."
So the immediate deal is commercial links and an easing of Israel's military restrictions on Turkey. However, Ben-Eliezer may have another issue on the agenda. Is Israel prepared to propose Turkey's mediation between Damascus and Tel Aviv in return for a normalization of relationsrestoring the position from before the Gaza War? Ben-Eliezer said, "I hope my economic and political talks will make it possible to get the important relations between Israel and its Turkish strategic partner back on track. Turkey has special ties with Israel, and as a regional and democratic-Muslim power."
And if so, is this the end of French adventurism in the Middle East or merely a tactical manoeuvre to decrease the tension between Ankara and Tel Aviv? Given that talks between Syria and Israel have been stuck due to the "no pre-condition" pre-condition and given that Turkey has been following a "zero-problem" policy with its neighbours, how sustainable is Ankara's "honesty" towards Tel Aviv?
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