It appears that at least for the short-term future, diplomatic relations with Turkey as they were in the past remain in the realm of a memory, nothing more. After Turkey recalled its ambassador recently, officials in Ankara are signaling that there are no plans to re-send Ambassador Ahmet Oguz Celikkol or a replacement.

Relations with Turkey came to an abrupt halt after the Mavi Marama commando operation, with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan resuming his anti-Israel policies where he left off following Operation Cast Lead in 2009. Erdogan is leading the Arab community call against Israel, seeking sanctions and UN Security Council actions against Israel after nine Turkish nationals, who were among the terrorists on board the vessel were killed by Israeli commandos.

Israelis have decided to fight with their pocketbooks and travel agencies report that Turkey, a once favored destination for Israeli vacationers has fallen off the radar. Stores are removing Turkish goods as well, committed to fight back against Turkey’s sudden and harsh anti-Israel policy.

Making things worse, Turkish officials are becoming closer to Iran and the Axis of Evil, Hamas and Hizbullah, a reality that has Israeli intelligence agencies monitoring the situation very closely.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)