Herzog speaks to Turkey's Erdogan; discuss bilateral ties, two-state solution

Following years-long rift between Ankara and Jerusalem, heads of state discuss high potential for cooperation in various fields such as energy, tourism and technology
Itamar Eichner|
President Isaac Herzog spoke on the phone with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday.
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  • During the call, Erdogan congratulated Herzog on his inauguration and the two discussed the relations between the countries.
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    נשיא המדינה יצחק הרצוג, רג'פ טאיפ ארדואן
    נשיא המדינה יצחק הרצוג, רג'פ טאיפ ארדואן
    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Isaac Herzog
    (Photo: AP, GPO)
    They discussed the high potential for cooperation between the countries in various fields such as energy, tourism and technology; stressing the importance of increasing bilateral trade between the countries amid the pandemic.
    "The presidents see great importance to the continuation of contacts and dialogue despite all the disagreements in order to promote positive steps to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that will also contribute to the improvement of Israeli-Turkish relations," a statement from Herzog's office said.
    The conversation lasted about 40 minutes and follows a years-long rift between Erdogan and Israeli leaders, the Turkish president Erdogan still maintained some loose ties with former president Reuven Rivlin.
    Turkish state media Anadolu released a similar statement but added that "Erdogan told Herzog that the international community expects a complete, permanent and comprehensive two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict per UN resolutions."
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    ארדואן ואבו מאזן
    ארדואן ואבו מאזן
    Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Erdogan meeting in Istanbul
    (Photo: Reuters)
    Erdogan met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Istanbul on Saturday and promised Ankara would back the Palestinian Authority (PA) against what he called "Israel's atrocities."
    In his remarks quoted by Anadolu, Erdogan added that Turkey "will not remain silent" about Israel's actions and the "peace and stability in the region will not be possible as long as the Israeli occupation continues."
    Despite much hostility between Erdogan and Israel, which also included a personal rivalry with former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Turkey has maintained good relations with Israel in recent years in various fields such as trade and intelligence among others.
    The Turkish leader's anti-Israel rhetoric escalated during the country's 11-day conflict with Gaza terrorist factions in May, as he accused it of being a "terror state."
    The U.S. State Department condemned Erdogan's statements, labeling them as "anti-Semitic" and accusing him of potentially stirring further violence.
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