The enemy of my enemy is my friend: is it possible to bring Turkey and Israel closer

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The enemy of my enemy is my friend: is it possible to bring Turkey and Israel closerSome smoothing of the corners in relations between the US and Iran is an excellent reason to return to the topic of the strategic partnership of Turkey and Israel. Between these countries is much more common than it may seem, and this general is much more important than such an abstraction as religious differences. These are geopolitical interests.

Geographically, both states are, to put it mildly, not in the most friendly environment. Turkey borders with Iraqi Kurdistan, Syria, Greece, Bulgaria, Iran, Armenia and Georgia. The latter is perhaps the only country with which the Turks have no mutual claims. There is nothing to say about Israel - that is not a border, then a front.

Both states, unlike most of their neighbors, are democratic - both in Turkey and Israel, elections are practiced, there are no dynasties of power. And finally, both countries are oriented toward the West and have the same strategic partners and allies in the person of the United States and NATO countries. December 5 Israeli Environment Minister Amir Peretz arrived in Istanbul to participate in an international conference on shipping and the protection of marine ecology. Peretz became the first member of the Israeli government to visit Turkey after the incident with the ship Mavi Marmara, as a result of which there was a strong cooling in bilateral relations.

Recall: on the night of 30 on 31 in May of 2010, an Israeli special forces stormed a Turkish vessel, attempting to enter Gaza without the permission of the authorities. Then 9 of Turkish citizens died, and about 15 Israeli soldiers were injured. This incident caused a strong reaction in many countries and protests around the world. In March 2013, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to his Turkish counterpart Recep Erdogan and agreed to pay material assistance to the families of the victims. It happened in the last days of the visit to Israel of US President Barack Obama, which gave rise to numerous comments, the meaning of which was reduced to the fact that Netanyahu apologized under pressure from the American president.

Be that as it may, both sides took this step with relief. Immediately, the process of normalization was launched, Turkey and Israel actively began to discuss the details of cooperation and even started talking about the return of ambassadors. And although it is not yet possible to restore the previous level of trust, it was simply unproductive to remain in a state of quarrel. Truth be told, even then, in 2010, Turkey’s wrathful rhetoric against Israel and all the talk about the hard line seemed somewhat feigned. And that's why.

Arab spring is in full swing. The intelligentsia of many countries, the Turkish model of society, in which national traditions are combined with democratic principles, seems to be an ideal role model - all this gives Turkey excellent opportunities. At least, this is the situation seen from Ankara, which wanted to spread its influence throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Including with the help of moderate Islamists like the Muslim Brotherhood.

And in order to further increase the rating in the eyes of the Arab street, it would be good to say something sharp about Israel. The incident with “Mavi Marmara” came to be as good as it could be, although Turkey still won nothing in the bottom line. Arab Street traditionally does not recognize the Turkish leadership, just the same, however, as the Iranian. The hopes for the Muslim Brotherhood were not justified: the regime of Mohammed Mursi collapsed, and the Egyptian military quickly brought order to the country - without any Turkish participation.

The policy of Ankara in the Syrian conflict has not justified itself. By supporting militants fighting against government forces, Turkey gained neither influence in Syria nor international prestige as a country supporting the forces of freedom and democracy. On the contrary, Turkey is increasingly spoken of as a state that welcomes jihadists from all over the world, providing them with a logistical base and corridors for the transition to Syrian territory.

Now Ankara has reversed. Not by chance about a month ago, the Turkish authorities expelled foreigners from the country near 1200, who arrived in the country specifically to cross the Syrian border and fight on the side of the opposition. The local press wrote that almost all foreigners are citizens of EU countries, as well as “Chechens” (as residents of the republics of the North Caucasus and other Russian Muslims are called in Turkey).

Indeed, foreign fighters for Syrian democracy correspond little to the image of the heroes-liberators. This is either banal mercenaries and outright bandits, or fanatics, or all together - as is the case with the former Dagestan policeman who established “Sharia power” in one separately taken Syrian village, where he arranged public floggings and executions of dissent. As local residents told, the terrorized Arabs with great difficulty got rid of the benefactor with the help of "their" militants who drove the ex-militiaman to Turkey, where, according to rumors, he immediately imprisoned.

In general, it should be recognized that the jihadists who settled in Syria pose a threat to both Israel and Turkey. Not less points of contact in the Iranian issue. The motives of the parties are simple and clear. Iranian-American détente after the 35 years of the Cold War added a headache to Israel, already concerned about the consequences of the Arab Spring. Having received freedom of maneuver, Tehran will certainly try to increase its influence along the northern borders of Israel - in Lebanon and Syria, where the Israelis have been trying to play their game for many years.

Cooperation with Turkey can only go to Israel’s good. The fact is that, although Ankara, in words, welcomes the Iranian-American detente, in fact, she cannot like it by definition. Rehabilitation of the Islamic Republic means the emergence of a serious competitor in the struggle for dominance in the Middle East. Even more, the prospect of a strong and influential Iran is bothering Israel.

Of course, it can be argued that temporary coincidence of interests does not mean a strategic partnership. Indeed, but only if this coincidence is temporary or one-time. But when interests coincide much more often than they diverge, why not call things by their proper names?
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18 comments
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  1. makarov
    +3
    17 December 2013 08: 06
    rapprochement between Turkey and Israel cannot be unambiguous on all pressing problems, without exception, but common views on some clusters of the program certainly unite them, and the parties do not hide it, they even stick it out for review. In this, too, lies the politics of t.s. eastern zaher.
    1. +7
      17 December 2013 12: 34
      Quote: makarov
      rapprochement between Turkey and Israel cannot be unambiguous

      Erdogan cannot be at all in power for the time being.
      1. Rusich51
        -1
        17 December 2013 20: 48
        Quote: professor
        Quote: makarov
        rapprochement between Turkey and Israel cannot be unambiguous

        Erdogan cannot be at all in power for the time being.

        It cannot be if it happens. By joint efforts, you can close the borders so that all the 9th stuff does not sail to Syria.
        1. +1
          17 December 2013 22: 39
          Quote: Rusich51
          It cannot be if it happens. By joint efforts, you can close the borders so that all the 9th stuff does not sail to Syria.

          But it doesn't happen. Turkey "handed over" Israeli agents to Iran - this is such a rapprochement. And the border between Syria and Israel is locked. You can come and check.
  2. IslamMoyReligion
    +2
    17 December 2013 08: 29
    Better to make peace with the enemy than to have such friends!
    1. rock
      +2
      17 December 2013 17: 48
      y vas dryzei ne mojet voobshe po opredeleniu
    2. duke
      0
      17 December 2013 20: 43
      Are you talking about Turkey? good
  3. Siberian
    +1
    17 December 2013 08: 36
    "Everything is back to normal."
  4. ReifA
    +3
    17 December 2013 08: 39
    The President of Turkey, if not an Islamist, then definitely does not like (a very soft definition) Israel. Purely ideologically, such an alliance disgusts him. Israeli tourists, businessmen, technology, diplomacy (?) - not necessary. Therefore, Israel has nothing to offer Edrogan.
  5. +3
    17 December 2013 08: 56
    These "allies" are worth each other. Do not put any finger in your mouth - they chop off to the very elbow.
  6. Alex_Popovson
    -1
    17 December 2013 09: 28
    Well, in general, Turkey in the Middle East was not liked just because of the dialogue between Ankara and Tel Aviv. And if it weren’t for the Jewish attack on the Turkish ship, they could well have signed almost an alliance-interaction on the Mediterranean
    1. Yarbay
      +3
      17 December 2013 13: 18
      Quote: Alex_Popovson
      Well, in general, Turkey in the Middle East was not liked just because of the dialogue between Ankara and Tel Aviv. And if it weren’t for the Jewish attack on the Turkish ship, they could well have signed almost an alliance-interaction on the Mediterranean
      Turkey and Israel had a comprehensive alliance, including on the Mediterranean!
      1. Alex_Popovson
        0
        17 December 2013 15: 02
        Yarbai, the fact of the matter is that WAS. And it seems that at the end of 2011 they either broke the military alliance and cooperation, or suspended it.
        1. Yarbay
          +1
          17 December 2013 16: 15
          Quote: Alex_Popovson
          And it seems that at the end of 2011 they either broke the military alliance and cooperation, or suspended it.

          Ripped, at the state level, after insulting the Turkish ambassador to Israel!
          But first of all, the military and, in principle, many ministries are still secretly cooperating!
    2. The comment was deleted.
    3. +9
      17 December 2013 15: 02
      Quote: Alex_Popovson
      Well, in general, Turkey was disliked by the Middle East just because of the dialogue between Ankara and Tel Aviv

      Nothing of the kind, Turkey has not been loved in the BV and has not been loved since the Ottoman Empire. She is still scared of small (Arab) children.
      Quote: Alex_Popovson
      And if it weren’t for the Jewish attack on the Turkish ship, they could well have signed almost an alliance-interaction on the Mediterranean

      While Erdogan is in power, there will be no normalization
  7. bif
    +2
    17 December 2013 09: 56
    The strategic alliance of Turkey and Israel, in the light of the desire to "flirt and make friends" with the monarchies of the Persian Gulf, will be like Krylov's fable Swan, Cancer and Pike "!
    1. Yarbay
      +4
      17 December 2013 16: 17
      Quote: bif
      Strategic Alliance of Turkey and Israel,

      I am for Israel and Turkey to be friends and they will definitely be them !!!
      1. The comment was deleted.
      2. +2
        17 December 2013 16: 21
        Quote: Yarbay
        Quote: bif
        Strategic Alliance of Turkey and Israel,

        I am for Israel and Turkey to be friends and they will definitely be them !!!

        Alibek, hi. I haven’t seen you in a while.
        In general, I think the same for that, that this is not inevitable. But for this, either Erdogan must see the light or the power should change
        1. -1
          17 December 2013 17: 39
          let it not be, don’t you already understand that the policy of the United States is based on the division and, of course, the game on the contradictions of countries.
  8. +5
    17 December 2013 10: 23
    Yes, everything will be normal for Turkey and Israel. Collaboration was very deep and it was not crossed out at a time.

    And by the way, the inhabitants of the North Caucasus, whatever nation they call the Circassians, not Chechens. Chechens are just an exception to the rule, they are called Chechen there.
    1. Yarbay
      +7
      17 December 2013 12: 55
      Quote: Yeraz
      Yes, everything will be normal for Turkey and Israel. Collaboration was very deep and it was not crossed out at a time

      Yes, the military is still cooperating .. As soon as Erdogan leaves, everything will return as it was! Turkey and Israel have long been strategic allies!
      Quote: Yeraz
      And by the way, the inhabitants of the North Caucasus, whatever nation they call the Circassians, not Chechens. Chechens are just an exception to the rule, they are called Chechen there.
      Absolutely true!
  9. +3
    17 December 2013 12: 03
    "The enemy of my enemy is my next enemy." (Yi Jin)
  10. +5
    17 December 2013 12: 53
    While the Islamists and Erdogan are in power, there will be no normalization.
    1. Arminian power
      0
      18 December 2013 01: 32
      Quote: Pimply
      While the Islamists and Erdogan are in power, there will be no normalization.

      hi hi hi
  11. +1
    17 December 2013 14: 57
    Israel, Germany, and Russia need to unite and everyone will then sit straight and listen to what these three guys will say !!!
    1. Rusich51
      +1
      17 December 2013 20: 53
      Quote: kapitan281271
      Israel, Germany, and Russia need to unite and everyone will then sit straight and listen to what these three guys will say !!!

      Angles with gringos will not allow, wedges will score. And the idea itself is very promising.
  12. 0
    17 December 2013 17: 28
    The conflict between the Ottoman Turks and the Jews was a well-planned operation by THEIR. Everything was played out so that the Turks could "lead" the Sunni Muslims. Together with the leadership of the "common Turkic world", the revival of the "caliphate" turned Turkey into a regional SUPERPOWER and Israel would actually rule with its help ALL OVER THE MUSLIM WORLD. Failing to work in full, this HORSE RIDE was no longer needed, so they began to refuse it, "keeping a good face in a bad game"!
  13. Christian
    -5
    17 December 2013 17: 52
    Turkey and Israel are two fascist states of our time. As we know from history, such will be together ... Some destroyed the Armenians and Orthodox Slavic peoples, others -Arabs and Russians, having seized power in 1917 in Russia.
    1. +2
      17 December 2013 18: 53
      Quote: Christian
      Turkey and Israel are two fascist states of our time. As we know from history, such will be together ... Some destroyed the Armenians and Orthodox Slavic peoples, others -Arabs and Russians, having seized power in 1917 in Russia.

      Oololo, the captain inadequacy woke up wassat
      1. +2
        17 December 2013 19: 36
        Quote: And Us Rat
        Quote: Christian
        Turkey and Israel are two fascist states of our time. As we know from history, such will be together ... Some destroyed the Armenians and Orthodox Slavic peoples, others -Arabs and Russians, having seized power in 1917 in Russia.
        Oololo, the captain inadequacy woke up



        laughing Is it possible for Ruble to get so drunk, asked the janitor Ostap Bender. -You can !! - muttered Janitor Tikhon! - and now sleep !! wassat
    2. smersh70
      +4
      17 December 2013 22: 48
      Quote: Christian
      ..One killed the Armenians and Orthodox Slavic peoples, others -

      excuse me .. chapel of the 14th century, too, they .... or Shurik ... laughing
  14. kelevra
    +2
    17 December 2013 22: 07
    To understand that a rapprochement is possible and most likely to happen, it’s enough to remember that Turkey and Israel periodically bomb Syria and it turns out, somehow very synchronously! It is unlikely that anyone doubts that this is an accident, there may be shadow agreements on mutual blows! The main problem outside the Arab world in relation to Israel, this is their faith and location. When I was in Israel, I noticed an interesting phenomenon; in Israel, there are even more Arabs than Jews! And most interestingly, they live very calmly with each other, even serve together, not to mention friendship with families! Maybe this is one of the reasons why Israel does not like it — it can build equal relations with any country and any faith in confession!
  15. +2
    17 December 2013 22: 31
    The reality of such an alliance is becoming increasingly apparent. Europe and the United States simply merge this pair.
    - unrest in Ankara (someone if not a geyropa ??)
    - rapprochement of states with Iran
    - "not taken weight" of Syria
    - Well, all that is said in the article ....

    This will happen even though most people are against it!

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