Netanyahu speaks with Turkey’s Erdogan, agree to ‘new era’ in ties

Presumptive incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speak by phone, according to the Likud spokesperson’s office, and agree to work together to bring about “a new era” in Ankara-Jerusalem ties.

Netanyahu expresses his condolences for the bombing on a popular Istanbul pedestrian street that left six dead and dozens wounded. He also offers Israel’s help in the fight against terror, according to the statement.

Erdogan thanks Netanyahu, and offers his own condolences over the recent deadly terror attack in Ariel, according to the statement.

The 12-minute conversation comes a week after Turkey’s leader sent Netanyahu a congratulatory letter, saying he believed cooperation between the eastern Mediterranean powers would continue “in a way that will bring peace and stability to our region.”

In August, the two countries announced they would be restoring full diplomatic relations after they were suspended in 2018.

Relations between the two leaders were also notoriously acrimonious over the last decade.

Renewed coordination between Israel and Turkey was also on display after security forces from both countries worked together to prevent an Iranian assassination plot on Turkish soil in July.