It is yet too soon to tell with any certainty, but it does seem the announcement by the governments of Israel and Turkey that there will be a restoration of diplomatic ties after a six-year break marks a major breakthrough for Israel.
Leaders of both countries are suggesting the development was driven by expectations of a mutually beneficial trade relationship between the two countries; Prime Minister Netanyahu said the development would have “immense implications” for Israel’s economy. There were also indications that the countries had mutual fears over growing security risks.
But we recall Turkey’s earlier insistence that as a condition for renewed relations Israel would have to end the isolation of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. And how strongly will Turkey counter the anti-Israel sentiment that animates the Islamic world of which Turkey is such a prominent part?
A real breakthrough? Maybe. But we’ll have to go through a wait-and-see interregnum before we can properly ascertain all the costs and compromises demanded of Israel by the agreement.