Link to article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/9/israel-turkey-relations-herzog-visit-erdogan
Israel and Turkey have announced a new era in relations following more than a decade of diplomatic rupture, as Isaac Herzog became the first Israeli president to visit Turkey in 14 years. The President’s Turkey trip, included talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday and was additionally the first by an Israeli president since 2007, when the late Shimon Peres addressed the Turkish parliament. Erdogan described Israeli president’s visit as “historic” and “a turning point” in Turkish-Israeli relations. He additionally stated that Turkey was ready to cooperate with Israel in the energy sector. Turkish foreign and energy ministers would soon visit Israel for more talks on increased cooperation. Both leaders conceded, however, that differences remain — not least on the issue of the Palestinians. Erdogan expressed the importance attached to reducing tensions in the region and preserving the vision of a two-state solution. Herzog stated that “the disagreements we will aspire to resolve with mutual respect and openness, through the proper mechanisms and systems, with a view to a shared future.”
The events in this article are significant as they show a further deepening of relations between Israel and Muslim states of the Middle East as we have seen in previous years. The reestablishment of diplomatic ties between these countries can only mean positive things in the region, as they can possibly work through conflict without bloodshed. However, Israel’s treatment of the possibility and idea of a two state future have not filled me with hope that peace can be made in that region, despite the narrowing of the diplomatic gap between Israel and Muslim powers in the surrounding area. Additionally, this connects to United States foreign policy as we have incredibly close relations with Israel and have attempted to become closer with Turkey in recent years.
This connects to what we are discussing in class as the Israel Palestine debate is an extremely contentious international topic and the ICC recently opened a probe into the conflict.