US too late to make peace between Israel and Turkey?

By Peter Lyukimson, Israel, exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza

US President Barack Obama has recently had a telephone conversation with Turkish Prime Minister Barack Obama and urged him to normalize relations with Israel for the sake of America’s strategic interests. Israel and Turkey were close to signing a fully-fledged agreement to put an end to grievances over the Mavi Marmara incident when Erdogan demanded that Tel Aviv lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip and let ships enter it without preliminary inspections.

It was not only Israel, but also Egypt that were outraged by the idea because Gaza is the main source of instability on the Sinai Peninsula.

Obama’s call was not surprising. He was the one to convince Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to apologize for the Mavi Marmara incident, despite the UN’s confirmation that the Gaza blockade and interception of the Freedom Flotilla were justified acts. Now, the US needs to see Turkey and Israel coordinate their actions against the fundamentalist terror from Syria.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry changed its foreign political vector back then. Avigdor Lieberman, Israeli Foreign Minister and leader of the Israel Our Home Party, was the biggest adversary of apologizing. Netanyahu managed to make them only after the trial and resignation of Lieberman.

Avigdor Lieberman is back to his post as the Foreign Minister. He keeps emphasizing that Israel is interested in rapprochement and cooperation with the Islamic world (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, but not Turkey). The minister is confident that Israel can do fine without Turkey, especially in the light of the agreement with Russia, lifting all restrictions for air traffic.

Erdogan, in his demand to lift the Gaza blockade, may as well do a favor to Lieberman and other politicians opposed to a reconciliation with Turkey. However, considering the importance of relations with Uncle Sam, the normalization is still possible. However Israel would prefer to wait for the results of the elections in Turkey.

By Peter Lyukimson, Israel, exclusively for Vestnik KavkazaUS President Barack Obama has recently had a telephone conversation with Turkish Prime Minister Barack Obama and urged him to normalize relations with Israel for the sake of America’s strategic interests. Israel and Turkey were close to signing a fully-fledged agreement to put an end to grievances over the Mavi Marmara incident when Erdogan demanded that Tel Aviv lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip and let ships enter it without preliminary inspections.It was not only Israel, but also Egypt that were outraged by the idea because Gaza is the main source of instability on the Sinai Peninsula.Obama’s call was not surprising. He was the one to convince Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to apologize for the Mavi Marmara incident, despite the UN’s confirmation that the Gaza blockade and interception of the Freedom Flotilla were justified acts. Now, the US needs to see Turkey and Israel coordinate their actions against the fundamentalist terror from Syria.The Israeli Foreign Ministry changed its foreign political vector back then. Avigdor Lieberman, Israeli Foreign Minister and leader of the Israel Our Home Party, was the biggest adversary of apologizing. Netanyahu managed to make them only after the trial and resignation of Lieberman.Avigdor Lieberman is back to his post as the Foreign Minister. He keeps emphasizing that Israel is interested in rapprochement and cooperation with the Islamic world (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, but not Turkey). The minister is confident that Israel can do fine without Turkey, especially in the light of the agreement with Russia, lifting all restrictions for air traffic.Erdogan, in his demand to lift the Gaza blockade, may as well do a favor to Lieberman and other politicians opposed to a reconciliation with Turkey. However, considering the importance of relations with Uncle Sam, the normalization is still possible. However Israel would prefer to wait for the results of the elections in Turkey.