Following Herzog's visit: Israel and Turkey will establish a mechanism to prevent relations crises

The new government in Jerusalem and the entry of Herzog into office have pushed aside some of the bad blood between the countries, as evidenced by the pampering welcome that President Herzog received during his visit.

All that the diplomatic protocol is possible and a little more.

But after the symbolism, rituals and celebrations begin the question marks about the future

Lightning Ravid

10/03/2022

Thursday, 10 March 2022, 10:00 Updated: 10:09

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In the video: The reception for President Herzog in Erdogan's palace in Ankara (Photo: Reuters, GPO)

At his mother's funeral a few weeks ago, President Yitzhak Herzog mentioned during the eulogy that his mother was born in Ismailia, after her parents were expelled from the Land of Israel by the Ottoman government.

As he made his way outside the cemetery the proxy at the Turkish embassy approached to shake his hand and say a few words of consolation.

"I know that Turkey is no longer the same country as I described in my obituary," Herzog told the Turkish diplomat.

A few days later, the Turkish president called to comfort Herzog.

"I thank you for what you said to our diplomat at the funeral," Erdogan told him.

Contacts for Herzog's visit to Turkey lasted for many months.

They began even before the inauguration of Herzog for the position through intermediaries.

After the inauguration Erdogan called Herzog and told him to come visit him in Ankara.

Herzog politely admitted but made it clear that he would consult with the Israeli government after being sworn in.

Since then Erdogan has continued to court aggressively.

In Jerusalem, Erdogan's move was identified as part of a strategic turnaround the Turkish president is making in his country's foreign relations.

Warming relations with Israel are just one part of this puzzle.

"I entered this process soberly and in coordination with the prime minister and foreign minister. This process will be examined over several months, including in the Oknin couple affair," Herzog told reporters in Istanbul.

More on Walla!

Herzog meets with Turkish President Ankara;

Erdogan: "Believes the visit will be a turning point in the relationship"

To the full article

More on Walla!

• Warming up: Herzog will take off for Turkey during the week and meet with Erdogan

• Herzog in a meeting with the President of Greece: "This morning he felt great sadness for fear of a humanitarian tragedy"

• The secret to improving your sex life - now on a special sale

Herzog-Erdogan Summit, yesterday (Photo: Reuters)

A key part of the preparation for a visit to Turkey was contacts with Greece and Cyprus.

In the last decade of the crisis with Turkey, Israel has built an alliance with these two countries.

In Jerusalem they wanted to make sure that heating relations with Turkey would not harm relations with Greece and Cyprus.

Herzog has been visiting Athens and Nicosia for the past two weeks.

He made it clear to his colleagues that improving relations with Erdogan would not be at their expense.

A senior Israeli official said that both the Greeks and the Cypriots actually encouraged Herzog to move forward in a dialogue with the Turkish president.

By the way - on Sunday the Greek Prime Minister will arrive in Ankara for a meeting with Erdogan.

The UAE also sent positive messages about Herzog's trip to Ankara.

The emirates themselves have warmed relations with Turkey after years of tension.

Herzog was warmly received in Turkey.

After years of a difficult relationship with Netanyahu, the new government in Jerusalem and the entry of Herzog into office, some of the bad blood was pushed aside and helped advance the move.

The Turks gave Herzog VIP treatment.

Pinko, Pinko and Pinko.

Everything the diplomatic protocol can do and a little more beyond that.

In terms of symbolism and rituals Herzog received full return on investment.

After the symbolism, ceremonies and celebrations the real work begins and the question marks about the future.

One of the main issues discussed by Herzog with Erdogan was the sediments of the past and how to prevent the relationship from deteriorating again into public confrontations.

The main decision in the conversation with Erdogan was to establish a mechanism for resolving disputes and dealing with crises that may arise between the states on the Palestinian issue or on other disputed issues.

The Turkish side will be headed by Erdogan's senior adviser Ibrahim Kalin.

The mechanism on the Israeli side will be headed by Foreign Ministry Director General Alon Ushpiz.

Pinko, Pinko and Pinko.

Herzog-Erdogan Summit, yesterday (Photo: Government Press Office, Haim Tzach)

"The history of the relationship has been saturated with episodes of ups and downs in recent years," Herzog said.

"There were challenges and not-so-simple moments. I found a host who was open to genuine dialogue on many and varied issues. The process we began with would be examined in field actions and mutual respect behavior. We talked about establishing a mechanism to deal with crises that could happen. The whole process is free of illusions."

In a conversation with Erdogan, a variety of issues arose that bother Israel.

The issue of Hamas' activity in Turkey is one of the main ones.

Erdogan, for his part, said his country would stick to past understandings with Israel regarding Hamas' activities in the country.

A large part of these understandings were reached after the deportation of Hamas members released in the Shalit deal to Turkey.

Herzog did not live in illusions about Erdogan.

Even Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid do not think the Turkish president has changed his skin.

But all three think it's worth a try.

That after the Avraham agreements, the restoration of relations with Turkey will be further enhanced by Israel's status in the region.

"I hope an infrastructure has been built to promote the relationship to a positive place," Herzog said.

"I tell every leader in the region - I think of a 10-year-old boy who sees a picture of the President of Israel with an Arab or Muslim leader and it sends him a message of hope and alternative to anyone who thinks confrontation and violence will bring results. We do not forget the past but look to the future." .

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• Yitzhak Herzog