[ad_1]
However, Erdogan criticized Israel’s policy on Palestine as “unacceptable”.
Despite strong trade relations between Turkey and Israel, there have been bitter disputes between the two countries in recent years. In 2016, the two countries withdrew their ambassadors.
Furthermore, Turkey has repeatedly condemned the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and its treatment of the Palestinians.
“Turkey has problems with the main Israeli leaders, otherwise our relationship would have been different,” Erdogan told reporters after Friday prayers in Istanbul.
“The policy of Palestine is our last line (red line). It is impossible for us to accept the Palestinian policy of Israel. Their ruthless behavior cannot be accepted.”
“Our relationship could have been very different if there hadn’t been a problem at the top level. We want to take our relationship to a better place, “Erdogan said.
Turkey and Israel have withdrawn each other’s ambassadors in a dispute over dozens of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza border in 2016. But even then trade between the two countries has changed.
Meanwhile, in August, Israel alleged that Turkey had issued Turkish passports to dozens of Hamas members in Istanbul. They called Turkey’s move “very unfriendly.”
Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2006 from forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Since then, Israel has fought three wars with Hamas.
Turkey says that Hamas is a legitimate political movement in Palestine. They have been democratically elected.
[ad_2]
