Israel and Turkey Move Past Differences on Defense

AP Photo

Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul met this weekend in Ankara, Turkey to discuss common defense goals.  Barak gave an apology on behalf of Israel regarding the actions of Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister several weeks ago.  Turkey’s President said that the apology was adequate and that Turkey would not pursue the matter any further.

Gonul spoke at a press conference and gave encouraging, though not enthusiastic, remarks toward Israel and Turkey’s mutual defensive strategy.

“We are strategic allies as long as our interests force us to do so,” said the minister, who is not a fluent English speaker. “We are living in the same area. Although we don’t have common borders, we have the same interests.”

Israel and Turkey have had mixed relations since the beginning of the first Arab Intifada.  Turkey, a Muslim country with a secular, democratic government, still tends to favor the Palestinians and treats the Israelis with mixed support.

Israel and Turkey have cooperated on several defense contracts.  In an upcoming deal, Israel will deliver unmanned drone aircraft intended to monitor Kurdish rebel activity in Southern Turkey and along the Iraq-Turkey border.