Israel Seeks to Normalize Relations with Turkey

"Both sides have to take steps to improve confidence. Turkey and Israel lost a lot of confidence, and at one point it seemed as if there was animosity between the two countries" - Amira Oron, Israeli Foreign Ministry

Photo courtesy: therightperspective.org

(SALEM, Ore.) - Israeli-Turkish relations are undergoing a normalization process, which has been sparked - at least in part - by changes in the Foreign Ministry, Israeli Charge D'Affairs Amira Oron revealed.

"We are currently in an ongoing process and it is a positive step towards the future," she stated in an interview with the Daily Sabah.

"On our side, there was a change: A new director general for the Foreign Ministry, Dore Gold, was appointed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."

"One of his first decisions was to meet with his Turkish counterpart, Feridun Sinirlioğlu," she added. "This indicated the emphasis on Israeli-Turkish relations, which has to be maintained."

"As far as I know, it was a very positive meeting and the current state of relations is much clearer when compared to the previous year during the operations in Gaza."

Overall, though, she predicts a full return to normalization - especially through business and other non-political sectors. "I think mutual confidence is required," Oron said. "To build confidence you need time and action."

"Both sides have to take steps to improve confidence. Turkey and Israel lost a lot of confidence, and at one point it seemed as if there was animosity between the two countries," she acknowledged.

"Thankfully, we are not at that point."

To that end, she said, while Israel and Turkey are not actively working together at the moment, "Israel supports Turkey's right to defend itself."

"If Israel and Turkey had better relations, both sides would have enjoyed this kind of cooperation," she added.