Sunday, February 15, 2009

Turkish-Israeli ties after the deluge

"Turkish-Israeli ties after the deluge
By SONER CAGAPTAY

Israel's new prime minister has a challenge: The Turkish-Israeli relationship - the country's only public and normal relationship with a Muslim-majority country - is dangerously strained. The deterioration of the public face of the relationship, exemplified by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's harsh anti-Israeli rhetoric, attacks against Israeli athletes in Turkey and the bombing of an Israeli-owned bank in Istanbul, is troubling. Some might take comfort in strong military ties between the countries, but the new prime minister ought to note that without a strong public connection, bilateral ties will not persist against surging anti-Israeli sentiments in Turkey. "

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