BREAKING NEWS

Biden calls Netanyahu over 'progress' with Turkey

WASHINGTON - US Vice President Joe Biden called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to "congratulate" him for progressing Israel toward normalization of relations with Turkey, which severed formal ties with Israel after intercepted it a "Free Gaza" flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea in 2010.
"Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel called the Vice President today to thank him for encouraging normalization talks between Israel and Turkey," the White House said in a statement. "The Vice President congratulated the Prime Minister for progress toward reconciliation with Turkey, noting the significant positive security and economic benefits for both countries and the wider Eastern Mediterranean region."
The White House declined to comment when asked why the vice president, and not US President Barack Obama, made the call.