Erdogan: We Seek Better Ties with Israel, Palestine Policy ‘Red Line’

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed, Friday, his desire to improve ties with Israel, but also criticized Israeli policy towards Palestinians as "unacceptable" and a "red line" for Ankara.

“Our relations with Israel on intelligence have not ceased anyway, they are still continuing,” Erdogan said during a press conference. “We have some difficulties with the people at the top.”

Erdogan asserted that Ankara “cannot accept the attitude of Israel towards the Palestinian lands,” and that “we differ from Israel in terms of our understanding of both justice and the territorial integrity of countries.”

“The Palestine policy is our red line,” Erdogan stressed. “It is impossible for us to accept Israel's Palestine policies. Their merciless acts there are unacceptable.”

“Otherwise, our heart desires that we can move our relations with them to a better point,” he noted.

Israel and Turkey had a bitter relations in recent years, despite strong commercial ties, as Ankara has repeatedly condemned Israel's occupation in the West Bank and its treatment of Palestinians.

In the same vein, Western and Israeli media has previously quoted Turkish Chancellor Masoud Cassin that the relationship between the two sides is on the verge of a breakthrough, and diplomatic relations between the two countries could be resumed next March.

Cassin confirmed reports of talks between the two sides to strengthen diplomatic relations, which Turkish intelligence director Hakan Fidan is carrying out with Israeli officials.

He stressed that establishing peace and security is very important for Turkey and Israel alike, noting that his country does not want another incident with Israel after the Mavi Marmara incident.

The Turkish official acknowledged that the election of Joe Biden as president of the United States was a drive to repair relations with Tel Aviv.

The Turkish president has enjoyed a close relationship with outgoing US President Donald Trump, but the Biden presidency is expected to be more difficult for Ankara.