Israel considers improved ties with Turkey, Central Asia
Taking relations with Ankara one step at a time, Jerusalem could opt for a soft-diplomatic multi-national alliance with Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Israeli Ambassador to Washington Michael Herzog met Feb. 3 with Turkish Ambassador Hasan Murat Mercan, considered a close associate of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The two met at a dinner hosted by Azerbaijan ambassador to Washington Khazar Ibrahim, who also invited the ambassadors from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
It was an unusual event. Israel maintains diplomatic relations with all the four countries, but ties are complicated.
With Turkey, relations have been cold for over a decade, though Turkish leadership has been trying in recent months to change that. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had called Israeli President Isaac Herzog twice, first to congratulate him on taking office, and then to express his condolences for the death of his mother. Herzog called Erdogan to wish him well after the Turkish leader got infected with coronavirus. In recent days, Erdogan said more than once that he expects a visit from Herzog in Ankara next month.
