No new crisis in Turkish-Israeli relations - General Gilad

Turkey's decision to postpone talks with Israel concerning compensation for ralatives of those who perished on board the Mavi Marmara, has raised rumours that bilateral relations are once again changing for the worse. However, the former head of the Israeli intelligence service, General Amos Gilad, says that these rumours are baseless.

Turkey demanded that the talks should be postponed, saying that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is too busy because of his visit to Kyrgyzstan. Such an explanation seems very strange to the Israelis.

In spite of that, General Gilad, who is believed to be a major expert in foreign affairs, says that the delay has a purely technical character and that Turkey is indeed interested in friendly relations with Israel.

"One should understand that there is a long-term confrontation between Turkey and Iran. That is why Turkey does not want Iran to develop a nuclear bomb and is as afraid of this as Israel is. This (as well as economic ties) makes Turkey and Israel natural allies," General Gilad says.

While the Israeli foreign ministry remains silent over the delay in talks, public discussion of this situation in Israel continues.

Pyotr Lyukimson, reporting from Israel. Exclusively to VK