Today.Az » World news » Turkey becomes 'new' mediator in Palestinian-Israeli negotiations
23 April 2013 [18:45] - Today.Az
The issue of Israel's compensation to the families of the deceased Freedom Flotilla members has become a recent hot topic in Turkey.
An Israeli delegation has recently arrived in Ankara and held talks with representatives of the Turkish Foreign Ministry and Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc to pay compensations.
In a statement made by Akinci after the talks, he said that an agreement on the compensation has been reached. He added that the amount of compensation will not be made public.
Despite the fact that Turkish officials assessed the agreement as a diplomatic victory, there are many individuals in the country who believe that this victory was achieved with U.S support.
Many political analysts do not rule out the possibility that Israel has taken this action because of despair and the threat of being isolated in the region. They also believe that Israeli officials discussed Syria's future with Turkey.
If one takes into account that today, Israeli-Turkish relations are on a different level and the fact that power is being changed in Egypt, which is Tel Aviv's close ally, Israel's action is appropriate.
But Israel and Turkey were unlikely to have discussed Syria's future.
If one analyzes Turkey's current policy in the region, Israel's agreement to pay compensation is not very significant. Top Turkish officials know this very well.
On the other hand, the taken actions will not restore relations to the same level.
While examining Israeli-Turkish relations since 2010, it becomes apparent that one of Ankara's priority tasks is to lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Therefore, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's planned visit to Gaza can be considered an action in this direction.
Today, there is no argument to say that the Turkish ruling party conducts Middle East policy aimed at raising Ankara's authority in the Arab world.
Earlier, there was a need for these actions, but no need now because the Arab countries have ambiguous positions on Ankara's policy in the region. On the other hand, even if Erdogan visits Gaza, one cannot believe that Israel will lift the blockade immediately after.
While examining the situation thoroughly, it is clear that while using all possibilities, Ankara wants to put Israel into subjection.
There is every reason to think that Turkey will try to restore its previous mediation mission in the near future due to its Middle East policy.
Rufiz Hafizoglu /Trend/
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