The last few months gave the impression that the relationship between Israel and Turkey might finally be heading toward rapprochement, but in reality, Israel did seize this opportunity, most likely over Israeli official's inability to think outside the box.
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There is no doubt that the rhetoric of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan needs to change entirely. And yet, everyone knows that Turkey has been an ally of Israel long before the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, or other Muslim countries that normalized their ties with the Jewish state after the Abraham Accords.
Turkey was the first Muslim country to recognize Israel after its inception in 1948. Historically speaking, Jerusalem cannot allow itself to forget that. Do we want the excellent relationship we had with Turkey to go down the same road as our relationship with Iran did? Israel started out by having a wonderful relationship with Iran and the Shah, but with time the regime turned into one of Israel's biggest enemies.
Nevertheless, despite the disruption in the diplomatic ties between Israel and Turkey, economic cooperation between the two has continued, even without an Israeli ambassador in Ankara and a consul in Istanbul, Turkey's financial hub. If ties were to resume in full it would clearly see both thrive.
Furthermore, anyone who closely follows Erdogan's actions since he became president in 2003 knows that when he promises to do something, he always delivers.
Just recently, Erdogan confidant Admiral Cihat Yayci, in a peace in Turkeyscope magazine, proposed a first-of-its-kind agreement to regulate maritime Israeli and Turkish activite in the Mediterranean Sea.
Two weeks later, another one of Erdogan's confidants, Professor Mesut Casin, told Voice of America that "maybe in March, we can restore full diplomatic relations [with Israel] again. Why not?"
Three days later, Erdogan imself said, "Israel's policy towards the Palestinians is unacceptable, but Turkey does want to improve relations with Israel."
It has been two months since Erdogan's statement. And what has Israel done? Unfortunately, nothing.
Palestinian dependence on Erdogan is something Israel can use to its advantage. Having a good relationship with Ankara will provide Jerusalem with substantial leverage over Hamas.
This could help Israel negotiate a prisoner swap and secure the return of the remains of fallen soldiers Lt. Hadar Goldin and Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul, as well as the release if Ethiopian Israeli Avera Mengistu and Bedouin Hisham al-Sayed, all held by the terrorist group ruling the Gaza Strip.
Moreover, Palestinian elections are around the corner. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for May 22 and the presidential ones for July 31. With Hamas' conciliatory approach and Ankara's significant economic investment in the PA, Israel cannot deny that a close relationship with Turkey would be beneficial.
Erdogan has the ability to pressure Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, on the senior Hamas officials living in Istanbul, and, of course, on Hamas military chief Yahya Sinwar, who needs Turkey's support in the Gaza Strip.
If Israel and Turkey are on good terms, it could potentially significanlty undermind the position of Islamic Jihad – a proxy of Tehran – in the coastal enclave.
It also seems that Israel had missed an opportunity to capitalized on the outcome of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, where a territorial dispute has resulted in an armed conflict between Azerbaijan – supported by Turkey – and the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh, supported by Armenia.
Azerbaijan was the undisputed winner of the war. It won using Israeli and Turkish weapons. Israel could have used this to create a first-rate strategic partnership between Jerusalem, Ankara, and Baku.
Such cooperation would, in turn, undermine Iran and the Revolutionary Guards all with one move. While the Islamic republic is trying to get the Jewish state in a vise with the help of Hezbollah and pro-Iranian militia, Israel would be able to counter these efforts with the aid of Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Iran shares a border both with Turkey and with Azerbaijan. It would have no choice but to change its approach to Israel altogether. If Israel wants Iran to course-correct, it must foster its relationship with Turkey, which in turn could be be very useful in terms of our dealings with Iran and the Palestinian Authority.
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