Israel and Turkey announced on Wednesday that both countries will work to restore diplomatic ties with each other for the first time in over a decade.
“The resumption of relations with Turkey is an important asset for regional stability and very important economic news for the citizens of Israel. We will continue to strengthen Israel’s standing in the world,” Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said of the diplomatic decision. Lapid spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before the announcement.
According to CBN News, the Prime Minister’s office explained that Israeli and Turkish leaders have spent the last year discussing reconciliation methods following years of disagreements.
“Upgrading relations will contribute to deepening ties between the two peoples, expanding economic, trade, and cultural ties, and strengthening regional stability,” the Lapid’s office said in a statement.
Relations between Israel and Turkey began falling apart due to disagreements regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The countries’ relationship grew further estranged after Turkey hosted several Hamas leaders.
In 2010, both nations withdrew their respective ambassadors after 9 Turkish activists were killed following a raid by Israeli troops on a flotilla headed for Gaza while carrying humanitarian aid that split an Israeli blockade.
Both countries further distanced after the United States moved its embassy to Jerusalem in 2018. In response to the embassy move, Turkey withdrew its ambassador. Israel did the same.
Earlier this year, Israeli President Isaac Herzog traveled to Turkey to talk with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. It marked the first visit by an Israeli leader in 14 years.
Regardless of past differences, both countries are now seeking to restore full diplomatic ties with one another.
Wednesday’s announcement comes two years after the US-brokered Abraham Accords was declared. Israel normalized ties with Morocco, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Sudan through the agreement.
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Oleksii Liskonih
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer. He is also the co-hosts of the For Your Soul podcast, which seeks to equip the church with biblical truth and sound doctrine. Visit his blog Blessed Are The Forgiven.
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