It is yet too soon to tell with any certainty, but it does seem the announcement by the governments of Israel and Turkey that there will be a restoration of diplomatic ties after a six-year break marks a major breakthrough for Israel.

Leaders of both countries are suggesting the development was driven by expectations of a mutually beneficial trade relationship between the two countries; Prime Minister Netanyahu said the development would have “immense implications” for Israel’s economy. There were also indications that the countries had mutual fears over growing security risks.

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But we recall Turkey’s earlier insistence that as a condition for renewed relations Israel would have to end the isolation of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.  And how strongly will Turkey counter the anti-Israel sentiment that animates the Islamic world of which Turkey is such a prominent part?

A real breakthrough? Maybe. But we’ll have to go through a wait-and-see interregnum before we can properly ascertain all the costs and compromises demanded of Israel by the agreement.

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