Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan this week held a meeting in Ankara, hosting twenty American Jewish leaders. Many feel the meeting is yet another signal from Turkey’s desire to renew ties from Israel, which have been broken over recent years.

Heading the delegation was Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations Malcolm Hoenlein, who is known to maintain close ties with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. According to a Ynet report, the head of the Turkish Jewish community, Ishak Ibrahimzadeh, was also present or the meeting.

Relations between Turkey and Israel deteriorated following Operation Cast Lead in 2009, and things got worse in 2010 following the Marvi Marmara incident in which a flotilla tried breaking the Israeli marine blockage of Gaza. Naval commandos who boarded the vessel in an effort to stop the vessel peacefully were attacked, leading to injuries and the death of Turkish nationals on board. Israel eventually agreed to pay compensation the families of the Turkish nationals.

According to report, Hoenlein sent a clear message of a willingness to resume relations, to reconcile differences and move ahead to further mutual interests. Erdogan raised specific issues, including fears surrounding Iran and the regional instability. Hoenlein made a point of telling the press that while Israel was aware of the meeting in advance, they were hosted as representatives of the American Jewish community and not representatives of PM Netanyahu or Israel.

Commenting to Ynet on the meeting, PM Netanyahu confirmed that Mr. Hoenlein met with Erdogan and he was anxious to hear what the Turkish leader said. He reminded the media that a resumption of relations is “a two-way street”.

Turkey and Israel were once very close allies, involved in joint military exercises and enjoying a high volume of trade and economic ties. Turkey was also a favorite resort for vacationing Israelis but much has changed as the previously moderate nation turned visibly hostile against Israel.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)