Economic ties grow despite political fluctuations between Israel, Turkey

[al-Hasani]

An Israeli delegation arrives at the Turkish Foreign Ministry to hold talks on compensation for families of victims killed in a 2010 naval raid on a Turkish-led humanitarian aid convoy to Gaza, in Ankara on April 22. (Photo: Reuters)

28 July 2013 /BÜŞRA ÖZERLİ, ANKARA

The rapprochement between Turkey and Israel is moving slowly, with hiccups over a compensation deal on an incident from May 2010, yet trade figures indicate the blossoming of economic activity between the two countries.

Data from the Turkish Statistics Institute (TurkStat) suggest there was an increase of 56 percent in exports to Israel in May 2013 compared to the same month of the previous year. Imports from Israel show an increase of 22 percent in May 2013 compared to the figures of May 2012.

“Except for fields like tourism that are highly sensitive to the political and security relationships of countries, it is quite normal for the countries to be maintaining their economic relationship,” said Harun Öztürkler, an expert on Middle Eastern economies at the Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies (ORSAM), though noting that political relations can have long-term impacts on the economy.

Relations between Turkey and Israel -- countries that once enjoyed solid ties at all levels -- worsened in May of 2010 and have remained strained ever since then, when Israeli naval commandos stormed the Mavi Marmara, a ship carrying humanitarian aid attempting to breach Israel's blockade of Gaza, killing eight Turkish civilians and one Turkish-American.

The tension between the two countries eased when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a formal apology on March 22 and promised compensation for the families of the victims and those injured during the Israeli raid on the Mavi Marmara. Turkey had put forward the lifting of the blockade on Gaza, compensation for the families of the Mavi Marmara victims and a formal apology as conditions for reconciliation with the country.

The trade volume between Israel and Turkey reached nearly $2 billion in the period from January to May 2013. Turkey's exports to Israel totaled over $1 billion, while imports from Israel sat at around $1 billion. Even before the apology was made, economic relations were improving. The Turkish-Israeli trade volume, which was $3.4 billion in 2008, reached $4.4 billion in 2011 and exceeded $4 billion in 2012.

One of the main areas that Turkey and Israel cooperate on is defense technology. “As defense industry products are considered within long-term foreign trade agreements, short-term political tensions wouldn't have a negative impact on these goods,” said Öztürkler. He added that considering the foreign trade figures between Turkey and Israel over the last 10 years, an increase may be observed even if there are fluctuations seen in both import and export figures.

Shmaya Avieli, director of the Foreign Defense Assistance and Defense Export Organization (SIBAT) at the Israeli Ministry of Defense, stated that defense exports between Turkey and Israel never halted. “The relationship that existed in recent years didn't continue, but if you look at the numbers, defense exports to Turkey were not zero,” he said, underlining that these export contracts mainly consisted of past contracts but that there are requests for new transactions from Turkey.

Atilla Sandıklı, chairman of the Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies (BİLGESAM), believes that there are signs of improvement in political relations between Turkey and Israel. “I am not sure whether a total recovery is possible soon, though,” he added.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç blamed Israel on Tuesday for stalling the negotiations on compensation. “Our two conditions have not been accepted by the Israeli side, and that is why the issue has been left hanging in the air despite the fact that we agreed on a general framework on how to move forward,” said Arınç, who oversees the compensation talks with Israel on behalf of the Turkish government.

The main sticking point stalling progress in the talks is how to define the compensation in law, Arınç said. The Israeli side wants the settlement of the compensation to be part of an “ex gratia” payment, which means the payment will be made without recognizing any liability or obligation on the part of Israel. Turkey, however, has argued against this, saying that Israel, which has officially apologized to Turkey, must admit the incident was a “wrongful act,” which would indicate that Israel seriously breached the rights of Turkish citizens.

Middle East expert Öztürkler added that it will be possible to observe a significant development in economic relations between Turkey and Israel if the Mavi Marmara process comes to an end. “Regarding the statements of Turkish President Abdullah Gül saying there should be economic cooperation in the eastern Mediterranean, we may say that his statement could pave the way for the two countries to establish cooperation in the field of energy,” Öztürkler said.

It is estimated that there are 15 trillion cubic meters of natural gas in the region of the Mediterranean surrounded by Turkey, Israel and southern Cyprus. The reserve has been estimated at about $7 trillion, which is seven times more than Turkey's gross domestic product (GDP).

The Israeli and Greek Cypriot administrations began to cooperate on energy matters right after American oil company Noble Energy discovered the deposits. This cooperation came about at a time when ties between Turkey and Israel were frozen due to the Israeli raid.

Another development in economic ties was the visit of the Manufacturers Association of Israel (MAI) to the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (TÜSİAD) in May. The two organizations agreed to draft an action plan to develop economic relations.

The two countries cooperate in other areas as well. Speaking to Sunday's Zaman, Mensur Akgün, director of the Global Political Trends Center, recalled the June visit of Tamir Pardo, director of Israeli national intelligence agency Mossad, saying it may indicate intelligence sharing.

Going back three years, one can see further involvement of the two countries in each other's affairs. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan left two high-ranking officials in Cairo to take part in efforts to broker a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip in November of 2012 as the fighting left more than 100 dead, mainly non-combatants. In 2011, Turkey was involved in negotiating the release of a captured Israeli soldier and welcomed a landmark Israeli-Hamas deal to free this soldier in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Turkey announced at the time that it is ready to contribute to the peace process.
Economic ties grow despite political fluctuations between Israel, Turkey - Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news

Yet some naive people are trusting empty rhetoric from Erdogan while his country aids Israel and the Zionists by doing trade with them.

At one hand they are complaining about Israel but on the other side they are feeding the hand that oppresses the Palestinians.

They talk about oppression in Palestine but cannot give equal rights to 25% of their own population (Kurds).

Until 1991 Kurdish was banned in Turkey. It was not considered as an language.

 

[u.MP]

An Israeli delegation arrives at the Turkish Foreign Ministry to hold talks on compensation for families of victims killed in a 2010 naval raid on a Turkish-led humanitarian aid convoy to Gaza, in Ankara on April 22. (Photo: Reuters)

28 July 2013 /BÜŞRA ÖZERLİ, ANKARA

The rapprochement between Turkey and Israel is moving slowly, with hiccups over a compensation deal on an incident from May 2010, yet trade figures indicate the blossoming of economic activity between the two countries.

Data from the Turkish Statistics Institute (TurkStat) suggest there was an increase of 56 percent in exports to Israel in May 2013 compared to the same month of the previous year. Imports from Israel show an increase of 22 percent in May 2013 compared to the figures of May 2012.

“Except for fields like tourism that are highly sensitive to the political and security relationships of countries, it is quite normal for the countries to be maintaining their economic relationship,” said Harun Öztürkler, an expert on Middle Eastern economies at the Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies (ORSAM), though noting that political relations can have long-term impacts on the economy.

Relations between Turkey and Israel -- countries that once enjoyed solid ties at all levels -- worsened in May of 2010 and have remained strained ever since then, when Israeli naval commandos stormed the Mavi Marmara, a ship carrying humanitarian aid attempting to breach Israel's blockade of Gaza, killing eight Turkish civilians and one Turkish-American.

The tension between the two countries eased when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a formal apology on March 22 and promised compensation for the families of the victims and those injured during the Israeli raid on the Mavi Marmara. Turkey had put forward the lifting of the blockade on Gaza, compensation for the families of the Mavi Marmara victims and a formal apology as conditions for reconciliation with the country.

The trade volume between Israel and Turkey reached nearly $2 billion in the period from January to May 2013. Turkey's exports to Israel totaled over $1 billion, while imports from Israel sat at around $1 billion. Even before the apology was made, economic relations were improving. The Turkish-Israeli trade volume, which was $3.4 billion in 2008, reached $4.4 billion in 2011 and exceeded $4 billion in 2012.

One of the main areas that Turkey and Israel cooperate on is defense technology. “As defense industry products are considered within long-term foreign trade agreements, short-term political tensions wouldn't have a negative impact on these goods,” said Öztürkler. He added that considering the foreign trade figures between Turkey and Israel over the last 10 years, an increase may be observed even if there are fluctuations seen in both import and export figures.

Shmaya Avieli, director of the Foreign Defense Assistance and Defense Export Organization (SIBAT) at the Israeli Ministry of Defense, stated that defense exports between Turkey and Israel never halted. “The relationship that existed in recent years didn't continue, but if you look at the numbers, defense exports to Turkey were not zero,” he said, underlining that these export contracts mainly consisted of past contracts but that there are requests for new transactions from Turkey.

Atilla Sandıklı, chairman of the Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies (BİLGESAM), believes that there are signs of improvement in political relations between Turkey and Israel. “I am not sure whether a total recovery is possible soon, though,” he added.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç blamed Israel on Tuesday for stalling the negotiations on compensation. “Our two conditions have not been accepted by the Israeli side, and that is why the issue has been left hanging in the air despite the fact that we agreed on a general framework on how to move forward,” said Arınç, who oversees the compensation talks with Israel on behalf of the Turkish government.

The main sticking point stalling progress in the talks is how to define the compensation in law, Arınç said. The Israeli side wants the settlement of the compensation to be part of an “ex gratia” payment, which means the payment will be made without recognizing any liability or obligation on the part of Israel. Turkey, however, has argued against this, saying that Israel, which has officially apologized to Turkey, must admit the incident was a “wrongful act,” which would indicate that Israel seriously breached the rights of Turkish citizens.

Middle East expert Öztürkler added that it will be possible to observe a significant development in economic relations between Turkey and Israel if the Mavi Marmara process comes to an end. “Regarding the statements of Turkish President Abdullah Gül saying there should be economic cooperation in the eastern Mediterranean, we may say that his statement could pave the way for the two countries to establish cooperation in the field of energy,” Öztürkler said.

It is estimated that there are 15 trillion cubic meters of natural gas in the region of the Mediterranean surrounded by Turkey, Israel and southern Cyprus. The reserve has been estimated at about $7 trillion, which is seven times more than Turkey's gross domestic product (GDP).

The Israeli and Greek Cypriot administrations began to cooperate on energy matters right after American oil company Noble Energy discovered the deposits. This cooperation came about at a time when ties between Turkey and Israel were frozen due to the Israeli raid.

Another development in economic ties was the visit of the Manufacturers Association of Israel (MAI) to the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (TÜSİAD) in May. The two organizations agreed to draft an action plan to develop economic relations.

The two countries cooperate in other areas as well. Speaking to Sunday's Zaman, Mensur Akgün, director of the Global Political Trends Center, recalled the June visit of Tamir Pardo, director of Israeli national intelligence agency Mossad, saying it may indicate intelligence sharing.

Going back three years, one can see further involvement of the two countries in each other's affairs. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan left two high-ranking officials in Cairo to take part in efforts to broker a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip in November of 2012 as the fighting left more than 100 dead, mainly non-combatants. In 2011, Turkey was involved in negotiating the release of a captured Israeli soldier and welcomed a landmark Israeli-Hamas deal to free this soldier in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Turkey announced at the time that it is ready to contribute to the peace process.
Economic ties grow despite political fluctuations between Israel, Turkey - Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news

Yet some naive people are trusting empty rhetoric from Erdogan while his country aids Israel and the Zionists by doing trade with them.

At one hand they are complaining about Israel but on the other side they are feeding the hand that oppresses the Palestinians.

They talk about oppression in Palestine but cannot give equal rights to 25% of their own population (Kurds).

Until 1991 Kurdish was banned in Turkey. It was not considered as an language.

Indeed, some people are trusting Erdogans empty rhetoric.

 

[al-Hasani]

Indeed, some people are trusting Erdogans empty rhetoric.

Can you explain how he at one hand can make empty rhetoric but when those short tantrums have ended cooperate with Israel like any other country?

Yet he aims to become the leader of the Muslim world.

Laughable really.

@Hazzy997

Turkey in action. Directly aiding the Zionists but talking differently in public. In short empty talk.

BTW is it correct that the Ottomans did not allow the Palestinians to own land? Why that kind of discrimination in an Islamic empire?

 

[u.MP]

Can you explain how he at one hand can make empty rhetoric but when those short tantrums have ended cooperate with Israel like any other country?

Yet he aims to become the leader of the Muslim world.

Laughable really.

@Hazzy997

Turkey in action. Directly aiding the Zionists but talking differently in public. In short empty talk.

BTW is it correct that the Ottomans did not allow the Palestinians to own land? Why that kind of discrimination in an Islamic empire?

I can't explain his actions, I don't support him anyway.

 

[Falcon29]

Can you explain how he at one hand can make empty rhetoric but when those short tantrums have ended cooperate with Israel like any other country?

Yet he aims to become the leader of the Muslim world.

Laughable really.

@Hazzy997

Turkey in action. Directly aiding the Zionists but talking differently in public. In short empty talk.

BTW is it correct that the Ottomans did not allow the Palestinians to own land? Why that kind of discrimination in an Islamic empire?

I told you he can't prevent large trade unless there are other options, he won't meddle into every aspect of the economy but had things been different in the region we wouldn't see such economic ties, but the point isn't to intimidate Israel. The point is to balance the situation, I don't want us to kill any Israelis or threaten them even if they threaten us, we Palestinian people only seek a free and independent life. We want our independence that the world promised to us when Palestinians were free from the Ottoman Empire, I didn't stand with the empire near its last decades.

We Muslims aren't perfect however and we've done a great job of throwing our credibility out the window. So nowadays people look at what's going on in the Muslim world and find no reason to look at the Palestinian cause. But, they fail to see the larger picture of past imperialism and installed regimes/monarchies in our countries which the international world wants. The CIA and other foreign intelligence agencies are working 24/7 to keep the Arabic world the way it is. Once we actually start practicing Islam with a good understanding and act in the interests of our people in social, political and economical, humanitarian aspects than you'll see how they will start behaving towards us and many things will get fishy. For now though, they want the likes of gulf leaders and likes of Sisi, and they're getting what they want.

So they succeed in putting regimes which aren't religious out impose very conservative laws which corrupt our people because they feel to repressed and causes more of our people to not see Islam in a good light. This is really sad I don't know what God will do to us he surely isn't happy with us. We've got so many things wrong these days I honestly don't know how our Prophet(SAW) managed with Arabs. Allah(SWT) is our only hope, we need to respect each other, respect minorites, allow a good Islam that's open to education and permitted freedom for more social activities for both sexes so people can love our religion and practice it properly. Instead today we don't teach it the right way, hate each other, promote immorality even the religious people don't get what they want and marry bad men who aren't appreciative.

@al-Hasani

حسبي الله ونعم الوكيل

We truly are in a crisis an nobody knows how to deal with it, which is why many if us opt just to mind our own business and family's business.

 

[al-Hasani]

I told you he can't prevent large trade unless there are other options, he won't meddle into every aspect of the economy but had things been different in the region we wouldn't see such economic ties, but the point isn't to intimidate Israel. The point is to balance the situation, I don't want us to kill any Israelis or threaten them even if they threaten us, we Palestinian people only seek a free and independent life. We want our independence that the world promised to us when Palestinians were free from the Ottoman Empire, I didn't stand with the empire near its last decades. We Muslims aren't perfect however and we've done a great job of throwing our credibility out the window. So nowadays people look at what's going on in the Muslim world and find no reason to look at the Palestinian cause. But, they fail to see the larger picture of past imperialism and installed regimes/monarchies in our countries which the international world wants. The CIA and other foreign intelligence agencies are working 24/7 to keep the Arabic world the way it is. Once we actually start practicing Islam with a good understanding and act in the interests of our people in social, political and economical, humanitarian aspects than you'll see how they will start behaving towards us and many things will get fishy. For now though, they want the likes of gulf leaders and likes of Sisi, and they're getting what they want.

Erdogon is like an balloon. It takes one punch to empty him. There is no excuse for this. He claims and sees himself as the next Muslim leader yet he supports Israel shamefully while pretending to not do it.

That's called hypocrisy.

At the same time brothels operate freely in Turkey.

 

[Falcon29]

Erdogon is like an balloon. It takes one punch to empty him. There is no excuse for this. He claims and sees himself as the next Muslim leader yet he supports Israel shamefully while pretending to not do it.

That's called hypocrisy.

At the same time brothels operate freely in Turkey.

Turkey has been secular for a while, he does it right, slowly changes the society and it takes decades to produce a religious society maybe even a century. However, we Muslims can't properly produce a beneficial Islamic society anymore. We think we can but we don't realize it. Only our Prophet(SAW) knew what to do exactly.

Read the rest of my post.

 

[al-Hasani]

Turkey has been secular for a while, he does it right, slowly changes the society and it takes decades to produce a religious society maybe even a century. However, we Muslims can't properly produce a beneficial Islamic society anymore. We think we can but we don't realize it. Only our Prophet(SAW) knew what to do exactly.

Yet 90% of all Turks here hate him and his rule. Mostly only the poor peasants in Turkey that can easily be fooled (remember that Turkey is still largely a poor country although the living standards are growing rapidly especially in the past 10 years) are voting for him.

He should not make those silly and empty remarks about Israel then. Cut all ties if you care that much. Be consistent.

 

[Falcon29]

Yet 90% of all Turks here hate him and his rule. Mostly only the poor peasants in Turkey that can easily be fooled (remember that Turkey is still largely a poor country although the living standards are growing rapidly especially in the past 10 years) are voting for him.

He should not make those silly and empty remarks about Israel then. Cut all ties if you care that much. Be consistent.

None of us Muslims deserve anything at this moment, however, that doesn't justify foreign nations activities nor local monarchies/oppressors.

I really believe there is no back anymore, our Prophet(SAW) told us the day of judgement is closer than ever and he was one of the major signs. I believe this is the time he was speaking of we will only get worse and worse until a major change occurs.

God have mercy on us.

 

[Hakan]

We trade with them whereas you guys plan on how to bomb a Muslim country with them.

Israel, Saudis speaking same language on Iran - Livni

 

[-SINAN-]

I don't like Erdogan but he's far better than any Arab leader.

 

[Infoman]

Like I said in another thread, throwing dirt on turks does not cover Saudi crimes.

Saudi Arabia and Turkey both work with Israel.

Both turkey and Saudi arabia have helped al Qaeda linked rebels in Syria, this will boomerang back to both your faces for working for Zionist interests like puppets.


Erdogan and the Saudi king will be arguing about Syria in hell forever.

 

[xenon54 out]

Oh man Al-Hasani this is a whole new level of your stupidness, obviously a trolling thread...

Besides whats wrong with having trade with Israel, they are smart people, they defeated 6 arab countrys with a overwhelming victory in just 6 days, can you imagine how embrassing that must be for Arabs?

 

[Infoman]

Oh man Al-Hasani this is a whole new level of your stupidness, obviously a trolling thread...

Besides whats wrong with having trade with Israel, they are smart people, they defeated 6 arab countrys with a overwhelming victory in just 6 days, can you imagine how embrassing that must be for Arabs?

I think al hassani is mad because Saudi Arabia has been exposed as a Zionist puppet, so he exposes turkey another Zionist puppet. In the end both country's will have their support for al Qaeda backfire. Turks deserve it too they are arrogant.

 

[xenon54 out]

I think al hassani is mad because Saudi Arabia has been exposed as a Zionist puppet, so he exposes turkey another Zionist puppet. In the end both country's will have their support for al Qaeda backfire. Turks deserve it too they are arrogant.

You first need to show me you flag before you get a propper answer.