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“New phase” as Israel’s first envoy in Turkey for five years presents credentials
Israel’s first ambassador to Turkey for five years officially presented his credentials to Turkey’s President yesterday, marking the return of full diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Eitan Na’eh was welcomed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara yesterday. At a brief ceremony, Na’eh, who was accompanied by his wife and son, was officially recognised as Israel’s envoy and Israel’s national anthem was played by a military band.
Na’eh said via social media that he was “very pleased” to arrive in Turkey and “to start a new phase in our relationship in between two countries”. He later told Israel Radio that Erdogan “said during our meeting that ‘we have turned a new page in our ties’”.
Na’eh said: “Even when the ties knew peaks and valleys, the economic and trade relations were almost not hurt at all.”
Na’eh added: “The foundations are in place, we will build the walls, and then continue.”
Na’eh’s arrival in Turkey signifies the implementation of a recent reconciliation agreement between Israel and Turkey. The agreement ended a six-year hiatus in diplomatic ties between the two countries following the Mavi Marmara incident, during which ten Turkish citizens were killed on a Gaza-bound protest ship while attempting to prevent Israeli commandos from boarding the vessel. The previously warm relationship between the two countries was subsequently ceded.
Although bilateral ties have now been restored, tensions still remain between Turkey and Israel. In a recent interview with Israel’s Channel Two, Erdogan was highly critical of Israeli actions and policies and claimed that Israeli soldiers did not act in self-defence aboard the Mavi Marmara. He also termed Hamas a political party and a “refugee movement born out [of] nationalism”.
Na’eh arrives in Turkey from Israel’s Embassy in London, where he was the Deputy Head of Mission. He previously served as Ambassador to Azerbaijan and was posted in Turkey during the 1990s. Turkey’s new envoy to Israel, Kemal Okem, is expected to arrive in Tel Aviv next week.