Eliezer: "Turkey can help improve Israeli-Syrian relations"

Turkey can help settle the Israeli-Syrian conflict, and Ankara should take a position on the issue, said Israeli Trade and Labor Minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer yesterday. In Istanbul to attend a Turkish-Israeli Joint Economic Committee meeting, he said he wants to strengthen Israeli ties with Turkey. Turkey plays an important role in the Middle East, he added, saying that he would like to see President Abdullah Gul visit Israel as soon as possible. Afterwards, he proceeded to Ankara and met with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. Turkey last year mediated Israeli-Syrian talks until Israel's offensive in Gaza, when they were broken off.