Israel–Turkey relations

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz has said that his visit to Ankara and talks with Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar have opened the doors for cooperation between Türkiye and Israel, as he was about to depart from Türkiye.

Turkish and Israeli defense ministers will hold a rare face-to-face meeting as the latter will pay a visit to the Turkish capital tomorrow as part of the ongoing normalization process between the two countries.

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid is to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, as relations between the two countries thaw.

Lapid's office said he would travel to New York on Monday night, ahead of an address to the General Assembly on Thursday.

A source said the meeting with Erdogan would take place on Tuesday.

A Turkish warship docked in Israel over the weekend for the first time since 2010, amid improving ties between the two countries, officials and witnesses said on Sept. 4. 

The TCG Kemalreis frigate was docked Sunday in the northern port of Haifa, headquarters of the Israeli navy, AFP reporters said.

Türkiye's reconciliation efforts with Israel will in no way diminish Ankara's support for the cause of the Palestinians, the Turkish leader said on Aug. 23. 

A Turkish Consulate employee outside its premises in Jerusalem, August 2022. Photo: EPA-EFE/ATEF SAFADI

The two countries pledged to appoint ambassadors and consul generals, announcement that follows normalisation attempts by both sides in recent months involving high-level visits from senior officials.

Türkiye and Israel announced on Aug. 17 to exchange ambassadors in a bid to fully normalize the relationship after a long period of tension.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog called President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan over the phone to congratulate him on Eid al-Adha on July 7, during which they also addressed the Türkiye-Israel relations and regional matters, the Turkish presidency has said.

Türkiye and Israel will sign a bilateral aviation agreement in a bid to multiply direct flights and as part of ongoing normalization efforts between the two nations.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid will visit Türkiye next week, his office said on June, days after he urged Israelis to leave that country over threats of attacks by Iranian operatives.