Israel reaches out for reconciliation with Turkey

Israeli officials have sent out reconciliation messages to Turkey in the past two weeks, the Jerusalem Post reported Monday. According to the reports, Israeli officials launched messages to Ankara saying that Israel is ready to embark on a more " positive, dynamic" relationship with Turkey after the three-year strain in their ties caused by the 2010 Gaza-bound flotilla incident. The exchange of messages was coordinated in light of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's coming trip to Turkey this week, in which he will put the countries' relationship the foreground. "The messages we sent were along the lines of that it is important to get the relationship into more positive vectors," an official was cited by the newspaper as saying. "There are many reasons why the current situation is unsatisfactory," the official further stated, adding that "both sides have an interest in a better relationship, first and foremost in regards to Syria where the (escalating situation) is leading to weapons in hands of different extremist groups." In May 2010, a flotilla with international peace activists on board sailed to the territorial waters near the Gaza Strip in order to break the Israeli-imposed blockade over the enclave. As Israel navy soldiers raided the vessel, an armed conflict broke out, resulting in the death of nine Turkish nationals. Israel has thus far refused to publicly apologize for their deaths. After the incident, the diplomatic ties between the two countries were severed and the once fruitful collaboration on security, financial and touristic issues came to a halt. However, last week it was reported that an Israeli defense firm, Elta, had signed off to deliver 100 million U.S. dollars worth of security equipment for Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) for the Turkish air force planes, the first deal of this kind since the crisis started. In addition, another report in the economic daily Globes last week said Israeli and Turkish professionals are working to agree on laying a natural gas pipeline to supply Turkey with natural gas. On Saturday, the Channel 2 news reported that Israeli National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidror met recently with the director general of the Turkish foreign ministry.