Israel tries to mend broken Turkey ties

JERUSALEM

Turkish-Israeli ties nosedived after the Mavi Marmara flotilla raid in 2010. Hürriyet photo

Israel is interested in creating a more “positive dynamic” in its broken relationship with Turkey so the two countries can work together to further common interests, Israeli daily the Jerusalem Post reported yesterday, citing a Israeli government official.

According to the report, Israel sent messages prior to American diplomat John Kerry’s trip that also pertained to Turkey. According to the government official, Jerusalem’s message was that it was important for Israel and Turkey to “get more positive vectors” in their relationship.

“There are many reasons why the current situation is unsatisfactory,” the official said. “Both sides would seem to have an interest in a better relationship, first and foremost with regards to Syria, where the growing fragmentation there is leading to weapons [falling] into the hands of different extremist groups.

There are other reasons why you would think that Turkey and Israel would find it advantageous to have a more positive relationship,” the daily quoted the official as saying.