Israeli PM hopeful about reconciliation with Turkey

ELIAT, Israel – Anadolu Agency

Netanyahu told Anadolu Agency that Israel wants to foster good relations with Turkey like before. AA Photo

Israel wants reconciliation with Turkey, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said after four years of strained ties since the raid of the Mavi Marmara aid vessel.

Netanyahu told Anadolu Agency that Israel wants to foster good relations with Turkey like before and expressed his hopes for reconciliation between the former allies. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu last month said Turkey and Israel were the closest they have ever been to a normalization of bilateral relations since the Mavi Marmara incident.

The May 2010 raid on the Mavi Marmara while it was in international waters on its way to Gaza sent relations between Israel and Turkey to an all-time low. Turkey downgraded relations with Israel in 2011 and expelled the Israeli ambassador.