Israel ratifies aviation deal with Turkey

Israeli government ratified the aviation agreement signed with Turkey in July, to pave the way for the expansion of bilateral air traffic.

Israel’s premier Yair Lapid announced on Sunday that from now on, Israeli airlines will be able to take off from Istanbul and other destinations in Turkey, Diken news website reported.

“This is an important strategic move for stability and prosperity in the region and will contribute significantly to the development of relations between the two countries,” Diken cited Lapid as saying.

“The next step is to appoint ambassadors,” Israeli prime minister added.

Turkey and Israel are making efforts to mend relations that was deeply fractured more than a decade, over a string of disputed issues, including Turkey’s close ties with Hamas, which is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union and Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians. 

In July, the two governments signed the aviation deal for the resumption of flights by Israeli companies to a variety of destinations in Turkey, alongside flights by Turkish companies to Israel. Last month, Israeli Prime Lapid also said that the two countries decided to restore full diplomatic relations and appoint ambassadors. 

In May 2018, Turkey expelled Israel’s ambassador and recalled its own envoy in Tel-Aviv over Israeli attacks on the Palestinians in Gaza.