Turkish-Israeli Normalization and Mutual Criticism: What to Expect?

• 08.23.2016, 16:47
•  Region,  Near East,  World

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The path of Turkish-Israeli normalization seems to be not that smooth. Despite the common interests that exist between these two countries, there are also some political issues - obstacles, which maybe the countries will never be able to overcome. Misunderstandings and disputes between the two countries are mainly connected with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This time it is also the case.

After Israel launched air strikes in response to a rocket shelled from the Gaza Strip at the Israeli border town of Sderot, Turkey condemned Israel for its attacks on Gaza. Moreover, Turkey added that it would continue to criticize Israel despite agreeing to restore diplomatic ties.

"The attacks, which caused injuries to innocent Palestinian civilians, are not acceptable regardless of their grounds," Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement, Jewish News reports.

Israeli response to this criticism did not make Turkey wait long. The Foreign Ministry of Israel issued a statement in which it expressed concerns over Turkey’s accusations towards Israel. "The normalization of our relations with Turkey does not mean that we will remain silent in the face of its baseless condemnations. Israel will continue to defend its civilians from all rocket fire on our territory, in accordance with international law and our conscience," the statement read, The Times of Israel reports.

Israeli MFA also added that Turkey should think twice before criticizing the military actions of others.

Despite the process of normalization of relations with Israel, Turkey also needs to keep its face in the Islamic world. During the many years of Israeli-Palestinian relations we have always witnessed that Turkey has played in a way, so as not to break the balance – it has both criticized Israel’s actions against the Palestinian, at the same time has supported Israel in many other issues. Thus it should not be of any surprise that after the Turkish-Israeli normalization deal, the sides continue criticizing each other.  Those kind of issues are more done for showing something, but in reality these two countries cooperate quite well.