Turkey doesn't need Israel any more

PanARMENIAN.Net - The strategic ties between Israel and Turkey are not at the same level they were a decade ago, as the latter is no longer dependent on close cooperation, Israel's military intelligence chief has said.



The comments by Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin to the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee reflected wider concern in the Jewish state following a high-profile visit to Turkey by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Sunday that was meant to help mend the relationship after a sharp diplomatic row.



"There are still common strategic issues between Israel and Turkey, but it's not the same strategic closeness that existed in the past. In the past Turkey acknowledged joint interests, which strengthened the relationship. For example, in the 1990s, the Turks regarded Syria as an enemy. There was a joint enemy. However, over the years Turkey and Syria resolved their differences, and Turkey doesn't need Israel's closeness anymore," Yadlin elaborated.



"In the past they had an interest in securing their Syrian border and therefore their relations with Israel were strong. In the past Turkey strove to come closer to the West, beyond joining NATO," he said, Today's Zaman reported.