Karel Valansi'nin kaleminden...

(Centre for Policy and Research on Turkey’nin yayınladığı  Research Turkey Journal’da yayınlanan Türkiye-İsrail ilişkileri ile ilgili makalem) Abstract One of the most significant developments in the instable and war-torn Middle East of today is the rapprochement between Turkey and Israel. The relations between two countries were deeply damaged following the Mavi Marmara incident in 2010; diplomatic relations were downgraded, military and intelligence cooperation were frozen. It took six years for Turkey and Israel to sign a normalization deal following a diplomatic impasse. During that time, the extent of cooperation and the diplomatic ties between both countries were affected not only by domestic constraints but also by external developments. This is the main characteristics of the bilateral relations which existed since Turkey recognized Israel in 1949 and established diplomatic relations; there is always a third party that can ruin the relations. Another characterist...

The diplomatic crisis between Turkey and Israel in the wake of the Mavi Marmara incident in 2010 led to downgrade the diplomatic relations; to having a chargé d´affaires rather than an ambassador. During the Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014, relations between the two countries reached a new low. In this sensitive time, Amira Oron, a veteran diplomat, was appointed as the new chargé d´affaires at the Israeli Embassy in Ankara. She witnessed the improvement of the relations and at the end reaching the long waited reconciliation agreement which led both countries to appoint ambassadors for the first time in six years. We talked with Amira Oron the difficulties and opportunities encountered working in Turkey, the relations between Turkey and Israel, her love for Turkey and for Besiktas football team. You were appointed as  chargé d’affaires  in a very sensitive time. What were your expectations coming here to Turkey and how it turned out? I was appointed on J...