From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 17, 2022
Turkish, Israeli officials meet in Jerusalem to plan Herzog’s visit
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
A senior Turkish delegation visits Israel’s Foreign Ministry and President’s Residence in preparation for President Isaac Herzog’s upcoming visit to Turkey.
The delegation is headed by İbrahim Kalın, spokesman and senior adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Deputy Foreign Minister Sadat Onal. They met with Foreign Ministry Director-General Alon Ushpiz and Director-General of the President’s Office Eyal Shviki.
In addition to the president’s visit, the sides discuss bilateral ties, which have suffered badly over the past decade, but have shown signs of potential improvement in recent months.
According to a joint statement from the Foreign Ministry and President’s office, Herzog entered the meeting to welcome the guests.
Ushpiz secretly visited Turkey in December 2021 to begin discussing a visit by Herzog.
Earlier this month, Erdogan said that Herzog will visit in March, and the two leaders spoke on February 6 after the Turkish leader was diagnosed with COVID-19.
Israel is said to see Herzog’s visit as a trial run for improving ties. Israel’s main concerns are Turkey allowing Hamas officials to operate in the country, and Ankara leading bitter international condemnation of Israel.
The Times of Israel Community.