Israel Seeks to Bolster Economic Relations With Middle-East Countries, is Turkey First Option?

Faced with rigid regional boycott and the complete isolation imposed by the international community, Israel looks for a staunch regional ally.

Courtesy: Jerusalem Post

(SALEM, Ore.) - According to the latest statistics released by the Israeli government, the overall volume of trade between Ankara and Tel Aviv reached a stunning figure of over $5.44 billion during the fiscal year 2014.

The enormous volume of Israel-Turkey bilateral trade clearly indicates a consistent and unwavering policy of augmenting the financial ties since 2011, whereas the two administrations endeavored diligently to conceal their secret political and military liaison.

Furthermore, many Turkish and Israelis economists believe the growing economic ties between Israel and Turkey will endure for years to come.

Two years after Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to Turkey over the Gaza flotilla incident, the two countries co-operated closely on disparate subjects (e.g., Syria's civil war, Iranian nuclear program and Iraq's predicament).

Nothing impeded the colossal business transactions between Ankara and Tel Aviv. Political insiders say the Turkish-Israeli specious and sometime fabricated confrontations are all but means to save the Turkish President's face in front of the Middle-Eastern nations.

It is now widely believed that Turkish President Erdoğan's support for Hamas and Gaza civilians was a ruse, only intended to soothe Turkish public anger over Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians.

Faced with rigid regional boycott and the complete isolation imposed by the international community, Israel looks for a staunch regional ally and many consider Turkey's Erdoğan as the most qualified candidate.