Arab unrest could help Turkish-Israeli ties, predicts former diplomat

As a destabilized Middle East is in neither Turkey nor Israel 's interest, the current regional turmoil could trigger efforts to mend Turkish-Israeli ties, according to a former Israeli diplomat. "I think that given the seriousness of the situation created by the political upheaval in the Arab world, this may accelerate the process, and I believe it is in the interest of both Turkey and Israel to overcome the current obstacles in their relationship," Ambassador Oded Eran, director of the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies, said in an interview in Ankara. Eran forecast that Turkish-Israeli relations would improve in the long run due to both countries' common interests and concerns in stabilizing the Middle East . Security is no longer the primary mover in Turkish-Israeli relations, said Eran, both because of the Turkish army's waning role in domestic politics and also its growing cooperation with neighboring countries, including Syria, as part of Ankara's "zero problems" policy. The former diplomat suggested if Turkey and Israel are interested in improving ties, they should look for an alternative to military relations.