Unusual Relationship

[Ex-Dragoon]

I always thought the degree of co-operation between Israel and Turkey to be unusual, especially with the hardliners recently taking control in Ankara. Why does this work for a Muslim nation and the Jewish State?

 

[Chimo]

This is an interesting article for those that follow foreign affairs and items of national power/interest:

During his recent visit to Turkey when questioned about the " claims that the United States is working to create a new axis between Turkey, India and Israel", Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee replied that there was no such proposal. He added that " Terrorism affects all societies. There is an international struggle against terrorism and India, Turkey and Israel are a part of it. " How ever India did feel the need to intensify defence cooperation with Turkey, which has been "at lower level than what we would have liked.". 

While there is growing deep and diverse defence cooperation with Israel there was no axis or a shift in India's policy towards Palestine.  When questioned by Turkish Daily News, PM clarified that " No, there is no shift in our foreign policy regarding Israel and Palestine.  That is our principal stand. We support the creation of an independent Palestinian state. A lot of injustice has been done to the Palestinian people.  I told Mr. Sharon violence has to be stopped on both sides. There should be negotiations and a solution should be found." 


The complete article, which includes a lot of detail is located at the South Asia Analysis Group:

http://www.saag.org/papers9/paper802.html

 

[Shec]

I always thought the degree of co-operation between Israel and Turkey to be unusual

Geo-strategic consideration:   Classic case of   "my enemy's enemy is my friend"  .    Both share a border with a common threat - Syria.   Furthermore, both are concerned with Iran and (were?) with Iraq.

Economic considerations:   Strong trade links between both countries have existed since a free trade agreement was negotiated in the mid-70s.    There are also agreements preventing double taxation and protecting investments;

These are rooted in historical considerations:    Jews have been always welcome in Turkish society since the Ottomans invited Jewish refugees fleeing the Spanish Inquisition to settle in Constantinople.