Israel has finally moved on from its fractured relationship with Turkey – notwithstanding the impression conveyed by some US and Israeli circles that the damage is not beyond repair.
This week, the Israeli Minister of Trade and Labor Minister, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer made last-ditch bid to save the relationship by initiating a meeting in Zurich with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutolu.
It went badly and was hotly debated at the Israeli cabinet meeting Sunday, July 4. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said he thought it was worth a try, but most ministers said that given Ankara’s harsh hostility, it should never have taken place.
Meanwhile, as Western and Turkish media outlets harped on Israel’s loss of its only Muslim ally in the Middle East, Jerusalem was busy acquiring a new strategic partner:
Greece, a NATO member like Turkey with plenty of Middle East interests, has shown interest in stepping into Turkey’s shoes and investing in stronger military and intelligence ties.