Turkey’s Erdogan, Israel’s Herzog Hold Rare Conversation

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a rare conversation by phone with Israel’s President Isaac Herzog. Herzog was sworn in as Israel’s president earlier this month. Erdogan made the call on Monday evening to congratulate Herzog following a meeting in Turkey between Erdogan and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Erdogan had promised Abbas that Turkey would “not remain silent to Israel’s oppression in Palestine.”

The Turkish and Israeli presidents reportedly discussed bilateral relations, including economic ties, trade and tourism.

“The presidents attach great importance to the continuation of contacts and constant dialogue despite all the disagreements, and that’s with the aim of advancing essential steps towards a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which would also contribute towards improving the countries’ relations,” the office of Israel’s president said in a statement.