Israeli President visit to Turkey was welcomed by President Tayyab Erdogan

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has arrived in Ankara on a visit to Turkey where he will hold talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyab Erdogan.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has arrived in Ankara on a visit to Turkey where he will hold talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyab Erdogan. This is first time in 14 years that an Israeli leader has visited Turkey.

Israeli President visit to Turkey was welcomed by President Tayyab Erdogan


According to Arab News President Isaac Herzog arrived at  Presidential Palace in the Turkish capital Ankara on Wednesday where he was received by President Tayyab Erdogan.

On the occasion Israeli soldiers were presented with a guard of honor by the Turkish army while for the first time in Turkey since 2008  band also played an Israeli anthem.

Turkey & Israel were once close allies but relations between the 2 countries have deteriorated under Erdogan leadership because the Turkish president is a vocal critic of Israel policies towards the Palestinians.


Israel is also angry at tayyab Erdogan support for the militant group Hamas which controls the Gaza Strip. Israel considers Hamas a terrorist group.


Israel and Turkey withdrew their ambassadors in 2010 after the Israeli army attacked a flotilla carrying Gaza aid supplies to Gaza because  ship violated the Israeli blockade. Nine Turkish workers were killed in the incident


Relations between 2 countries once again came to an end when Turkey recalled its ambassador in anger over the relocation of its embassy in Israel to occupied Jerusalem. In response Israel recalled its ambassador to Turkey.


Steps are being taken to restore Turkey relations with Israel at a time when Turkey is struggling with economic problems and is trying to normalize global isolation with a number of countries in the Middle East.

Israeli President visit to Turkey was welcomed by President Tayyab Erdogan

Israeli President visit to Turkey was welcomed by President Tayyab Erdogan


Before leaving for Turkey Herzog said We will not agree on everything & relations between Israel and Turkey have certainly seen ups & downs.


Recent years have been difficult but we will strive to Re establish our relationship & to establish it in a respectful and prudent manner between the two countries.


In Istanbul meanwhile a group of 150 people protested against Herzog visit. Protesters chanted anti Israel slogans. They carried banners reading Israeli President Killer.