Former senior members of the political-security system warn against a rapid approach to Turkey, without receiving sufficient compensation.
Two senior Israeli officials, who led key security policy arms, told Israel Today in separate talks that reconciliation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan must include significant changes in line with Israeli interests.
They stressed, among other things, that Israel must preserve its alliance with Greece and Cyprus, Turkey's historical rivals, with whom Israel has formed a close geopolitical triangle over the past decade.
According to one senior official, "Israel should check the seriousness of Erdogan's intentions, because of his antisemitic and fickle background. Erdogan supports the Muslim Brotherhood and there is serious reason to suspect that his rapprochement with Israel is apparent and due to the needs of the time. The attitude should be 'heavy and suspicious'."
The former senior official added that "in view of Turkey's weakness, there is indeed an opportunity here. But immediate demands must be demanded and toughness revealed, especially regarding ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas."
"More eager than us"
A political source told Israel Today that the rapprochement with Turkey, if it happens, will not come at the expense of Greece and Cyprus.
He added that "they are much more eager than us. Israel will not be easy to achieve," he said, in front of the Turks.
According to the political source, Israel is seriously examining the possibility of regulating relations with Turkey and has an interest in doing so.
Istanbul, Photo: Getty Images
But he said, "This should be done in a measured way, and by no means at the expense of Greece and Cyprus."
He noted that the rapprochement with Turkey is important, in part because of its rivalry with Iran and its influence in Syria.
He added that last week's Turkish announcement of the capture of an Iranian terrorist cell was perceived by Israel as a positive signal on its part, and reflected the common interest against the Iranians.
At the same time, as stated, the Israeli source clarified that there are still many moves on the part of Turkey, which Israel sees as a problem, "such as their statements regarding Gaza or the Temple Mount."
Meanwhile, an Israeli diplomat confirmed that Turkey has stepped up its activities against anti-Israel terrorists.
According to the political source, "we are seeing an increase in Turkish anti-terrorism activity in our contexts."
He, however, refused to confirm the report published yesterday in Turkey, according to which it had decided to expel ten senior Hamas members from its territory.
According to the political source, "no such condition was created, but the progress against the Turks is very careful and considered."
The news comes ahead of the arrival in Israel today of two of Turkey's top advisers, spokesman and adviser Ibrahim Kline, and Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sadat Onal.
The two arrive in Israel as part of preparations for the planned visit of President Yitzhak Herzog to Turkey soon.
According to reports in Turkey, the visit is expected to take place in less than a month.
The two will meet with the director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alon Ushpiz, with the director general of the President's House, Eyal Shviki, and with senior officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the President's House.
The Foreign Ministry and the President's House stated that "the visit of the senior delegation is a reciprocal visit to the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ushpiz in Turkey, in December 2021, during which the discourse on the President's visit and relations between the two countries began."
Yuri Yalon participated in the preparation of the article
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