Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Brenda Shaffer writes for Turkish Policy Quarterly on the talks between Israel and Turkey to normalize relations:
In a significant development that will enhance the security posture of each country, Turkey and Israel now appear close to concluding an agreement that would allow normalization of relations, including the return of ambassadors. On December 14th, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the entire Middle East region would benefit from improvement of relations between Israel and Turkey.[1]Following this, multiple media outlets reported on December 17th that Turkey and Israel had agreed to terms of an agreement for renewal of regular diplomatic ties. Subsequent comments from officials in Ankara and Jerusalem, including Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu seemed to confirm that the sides were close to attaining a final deal.[2] Doing so will likely end the crisis that has afflicted their relations since December 2008.
It is important to point out that the crisis was never as deep as it appeared. The dispute had three major manifestations: rhetoric, significant reduction in military cooperation, and halt of arms sales from Israel to Turkey. However, anti-terror and limited security cooperation continued in this period. Moreover, trade between Turkey and Israel grew exponentially each year during the crisis and Tel Aviv ties with London for Turkish Airlines’ top foreign destination of daily flights.