Turkish-Israeli normalization may not go beyond rhetoric

Two weeks after Erdogan announced the possible normalization of ties between Turkey and Israel, Zaman runs a piece stating that outcome is unlikely. With Ankara isolated in the region and Russia threatening to cut off its gas supplies to Turkey, Erdogan has turned to the country that he said “surpassed Hitler in barbarity.” Erdogan is demanding Israel lift the naval blockade on Gaza and is hoping Israel will include Turkey in its gas pipeline plans. But, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu wants to continue air strikes against Hezbollah in Syria without alienating Putin, and mending ties with Turkey is not urgent, the Zaman piece states. Zaman cites a foreign policy expert in Washington who says, if forced to choose between Erdogan and Putin, Netanyahu would go with Putin to promote Israel’s interests in the region.

 

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