(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson)
President Isaac Herzog spoke on Friday with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of the Republic of Türkiye.
The two leaders spoke on the occasion of the restoration of full diplomatic relations between Israel and Türkiye, the return of both nations' ambassadors and consuls-general, and the resumption of Israeli flights to Türkiye.
The two Presidents welcomed the development and expressed their hopes for the progress of relations in all fields. President Erdoğan thanked President Herzog for his significant efforts to promote Israeli-Turkish relations since he entered office and positively noted his recent phone call with Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Wednesday.
The two Presidents discussed bilateral issues and President Herzog thanked President Erdoğan for his critical contribution to the agreement for the export of wheat from Ukraine and for his recent meetings with the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine.
Lapid on the Economic Value
Following the re-establishment of diplomatic ties, Prime Minister Yair Lapid spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The two congratulated each other on the decision to restore full diplomatic ties and return ambassadors and consul-generals to Israel and Türkiye.
The Prime Minister and the President agreed that this latest development is an important additional level in the strengthening of relations that will lead to many achievements, especially in the fields of commerce and tourism. This will be reflected in the resumption of Israeli flights to Türkiye and the upcoming convening of the Joint Economic Commission in Israel in September.
The leaders emphasized the great importance of Israel and Türkiye for maintaining regional stability.
The renewal marks the end of a 4-year chill that began with the moving of the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and follows a visit to Turkey by Israeli President Isaac Herzog. During this period, Israel has improved ties with Bahrain, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates, as part of the Abraham Accords, while Turkey has, in the past two years, tried to repair ties with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt.
While still acting as Foreign Minister, PM Yair Lapid visited Turkey in June and met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlot Çavuşoğlu and President Erdoğan in Ankara. On the renewal, which was announced last night, Prime Minister Yair Lapid said, "The resumption of relations with Türkiye is an important asset for regional stability and very important economic news for the citizens of Israel. We will continue to strengthen Israel's standing in the world."
Earlier, Foreign Ministry Director-General Alon Ushpiz spoke with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Önal, and the two concluded the matter. It was decided to once again upgrade the level of the relations between the two countries to that of full diplomatic ties and to return ambassadors and consuls general from the two countries.
Upon the announcement, this morning President Isaac Herzog issued a statement commending the renewal of full diplomatic relations: "The renewal of full diplomatic relations with Türkiye (is) an important development that we've been leading for the past year, which will encourage greater economic relations, mutual tourism, and friendship between the Israeli and Turkish peoples. Good neighborly relations and the spirit of partnership in the Middle East are important for us all. Members of all faiths—Muslims, Jews, and Christians—can and must live together in peace."
This restoration of diplomatic relations is a continuation of the positive direction in the development of relations over the past year, since President Herzog’s diplomatic visit to Ankara, and the reciprocal visits of the foreign ministers to Jerusalem and Ankara.
Upgrading relations will contribute to deepening ties between the two peoples, expanding economic, trade, and cultural ties, and strengthening regional stability.