Netanyahu, Erdogan Declare ‘New Era’ in Israel-Turkey Relations
Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to advance ties between their countries in a phone call on Thursday, November 17. “The two leaders agreed to act in cooperation to establish a new era in relations between Turkey and Israel,” Netanyahu’s spokesman said, adding that “President Erdogan and the prime minister-designate discussed ways to significantly strengthen economic and diplomatic ties between the countries.”
Netanyahu sent condolences to the citizens of Turkey for the victims of the terrorist attack in Istanbul on Sunday, November 13, and offered Israel’s help in fighting terrorism. Erdogan similarly expressed his condolences for the victims of the terrorist attack in Ariel on Tuesday, November 15.
The Netanyahu-Erdogan call follows efforts by the outgoing government to improve relations between Jerusalem and Ankara, which were initiated by Turkish overtures. Some of the greatest tensions between the countries came following events during Netanyahu’s previous tenure in office. (JPost / VFI News)