Turkish President Erdogan is a color-changing statesman, and a few days ago he did so again, flattering Israel, saying that President Herzog may soon pay a visit to Turkey.
Earlier, during a phone call, he comforted the president over the death of his mother.
Do things mark another honeymoon between the countries, in a series of honeymoons that have been going on for several decades?
The telephone conversations with Herzog, or Erdogan's meeting with rabbis from Islamic countries, are signs that may mature into an in-depth examination in Israel.
The future will prove whether these signs will indeed ripen for a political U-turn in Turkey's relations with Israel.
Meanwhile, dates for the reciprocal visits of Presidents Erdogan and Herzog have not yet been set, and in general, it must be examined whether Turkey under Erdogan's rule has changed its perception of Israel and the Jewish public in general.
Did Erdogan, for example, get rid of antisemitic tones that are sometimes implied by him?
Although relations with Turkey are frozen, trade relations continue and even flourish.
In my opinion, President Herzog is deepening his involvement in Israel's foreign relations, and that is a good thing.
In contrast to Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, the president has accumulated rich political experience during his years of activity.
He keeps his composure, and is not thrilled when he hears in his office the call "President, Erdogan on the line."
And if his Turkish counterpart calls his house, it means he is in distress.
In a meeting with rabbis in Turkey, Erdogan said that relations with Israel are essential to Turkey. But it should be remembered that Jerusalem is committed to maintaining the alliance with two countries that are in rival relations, not to mention hatred, with Turkey. The Israel-Greece-Cyprus triangle benefits greatly from gas drilling under Israeli sovereignty, and Erdogan's eyes widen. He, too, wants to take part, and the next time he is on the line from Ankara, it is desirable that President Herzog be equipped with a proper response to his call.
I am not one of those who believe that the terms "national pride" or "patriotism" are expressions that have lost their power.
Although proponents of political correctness argue that these concepts should disappear from the discourse because they are outdated, it is desirable that President Herzog, in the spirit of national pride, respond to President Erdogan if he again hints that he wants change: to condition the renewal of ties between Israel and Turkey In it are the words of slander he has hurled in the past at Israel and its leaders.
This apology should not be included in the speech in the town square.
It is enough for Erdogan to incorporate, even in a hint, a tone of reconciliation in the next interview he will hold, and Israel can be content with this modest gesture.
In contacts with a rival country, Israel will act in the spirit of national pride.
The chances of Erdogan implementing this recommendation are slim.
The Israeli tourists who spend time in the Istanbul Bazaar will be content with a modest step that will be considered "all-inclusive" for a change in the nature of relations with Turkey.
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