After years in which relations between Israel and Turkey were at a low ebb, amid Erdogan's hostile policies and antisemitic remarks, President Herzog managed to bring about a breakthrough with Ankara, which sharply changed its policy toward Israel.
Herzog spoke with Erdogan on the phone several times, and in March of this year even met with him at the Presidential Palace in Ankara.
The Turkish president, who is facing a severe economic crisis and political challenges, is interested in the tens of thousands of tourists from Israel and also in the political influence of Jerusalem on Washington.
Turkish security forces in Istanbul, this week, Photo: AFP
The threat has not yet been removed.
Market in Istanbul, Photo: Avi Cohen
Relations between Turkey and the United States have deteriorated in recent years for several reasons. Among other things, the Americans expelled Turkey from the F35 project after it purchased advanced S-400 anti-aircraft missiles from Russia.
In addition, the Biden administration recognized the Armenian genocide perpetrated by the Turks, which angered Erdogan.
Gas between Israel's drilling rigs and the Turkish coast
Erdogan's other interest, also against the background of the severe economic crisis experienced by Turkey, is related to Israeli gas.
Ankara is interested in laying a gas pipeline between Israel's drilling rigs and the Turkish coast, so that it can be exported to Europe.
Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and the embargo on Russian gas and oil, gas prices on the continent have risen sharply and such a deal could be extremely lucrative.
However, a significant obstacle to the implementation of the above vision is the fact that the pipeline will probably have to pass through the economic waters of Syria and Lebanon - two enemy states of Israel, when there is also severe tension between Damascus and Ankara against Erdogan's position in the Syrian civil war. The pipeline bypasses, however it will cost the project and it is unclear if it will still be economical.
As stated, during the conversation, the President of the State thanked for the efforts to thwart a terrorist act on Turkish soil.
In the conversation, the two emphasized the great contribution of cooperation to the trust built between governments and peoples.
Among other things, Herzog stressed that the threat has not yet been removed and that a joint effort to thwart terrorism must be continued.
The two agreed to continue to work for peace and stability in the space through open and continuous dialogue.
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