Foreign Minister Eli Cohen discussed the growing Iranian threat and the importance of securing the release of the Gaza captives with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday, during a one-day solidarity visit to the country stricken by a massive earthquake.
“[I] brought up the issue of the Israeli civilians and the bodies of the soldiers in the hands of the terrorist organization Hamas in Gaza, and we discussed the fight against the Iranian nuclear program,” Cohen said about his meeting with Erdogan.
Israel mentions the two Israeli captives, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, and the bodies of soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul in all diplomatic meetings.
Egypt has been the main broker for indirect talks to secure their release, but Turkey has in the past also acted as a regional mediator for Israel.
Cohen, who entered office at the start of January, is the first high-level official from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s current government to visit Turkey.
“Relations between our countries are important for regional stability, and we will continue to work to strengthen them,” he told Erdogan. “Friends are measured especially in difficult times, and in this difficult hour, Israel reaches out to the Turkish people.”
“I expressed my condolences for the disaster and emphasized Israel’s commitment to continue providing support and assistance for the Turkish people as needed,” Cohen said.
Jerusalem and Ankara recently restored full diplomatic ties. Israel’s assistance in the wake of the earthquake has helped strengthen that renewed bond.
Israeli airlines to resume direct flights to Turkey
During his trip, Cohen said Israeli airlines would resume direct flights to Turkey and predicted a 25% increase in tourism this year.
The first such flight would depart on Thursday, he told reporters.
An Israeli official said the flights were resuming as part of an airline security agreement reached last year.
“All the three major companies in Israel will renew their flights to Turkey,” Cohen said.
“We will definitely warm the important relations between your important and beautiful country and Israel,” he said, adding that a million Israelis would visit Turkey in 2023, up from 800,000 who flew there last year aboard foreign airlines.
Israel, Turkey 'open new page' following earthquake aid
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu lauded the improved bilateral ties between the two countries during a joint press conference with Cohen.
The two countries have “opened a new page,” as evidenced by the Israeli support after the earthquake, he said about the disaster that struck his country and Syria, claiming at least 37,000 lives.
Israel was one of the first countries to provide support and had one of the largest teams in the field, Cavusoglu said.
He spoke of the death of Antakya Jewish community leader Saul Cenudioglu and his wife, Fortuna, who were killed in the earthquake, and of the damage done to a historic synagogue.
Cavusoglu used the moment to speak on behalf of the Palestinians and to criticize “alarming” steps Israel has taken to expand West Bank settlements. He underscored the importance of refraining from taking such steps.
Throughout the one-day trip, Cohen emphasized Israel’s solidarity with Turkey. “Israil Türkiye’nin yanında [Israel stands by Turkey],” he said.
Israel, through its MASHAV program, has provided Turkey with 60 tons of humanitarian assistance, including winter clothing, medical supplies and equipment, the Foreign Ministry said.
Its search-and-rescue teams helped pull 19 people out of the rubble, and its medical team set up a field hospital operated by the IDF, Home Front Command and the Defense and Health ministries. So far, the field hospital has treated 400 survivors of the earthquake.
Reuters contributed to this report.