Turkey-Israel thaw: Ambassador appointed to Ankara after accord

Israel and Turkey continued their path toward reconciliation on Tuesday as Tel Aviv appointed a new ambassador to Ankara, local media reported Tuesday.

Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson Emmanuel Nahson confirmed the appointment to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency, Anadolu reported.

Eitan Naeh, deputy head of mission in the UK, was chosen to represent Israel in the Turkish capital. His appointment is pending the Turkish government’s approval.

Tel Aviv and Ankara decided to reconcile in June after their ties reached breaking point during the past six years.

The appointment of ambassadors was considered one of the final steps toward reconciliation.

Since 2011 both countries have only been represented at the charge de affaires level in their respective capitals after Turkey expelled the then-Israeli ambassador.

Why relations soured

Relations between Turkey and Israel nosedived after Israeli commandoes raided a Gaza-bound aid flotilla and killed 10 Turkish civilians in international waters.

The flotilla, led by the Mavi Marmara ship, was an attempt to bring urgently needed humanitarian supplies to the besieged people of Gaza and shine a spotlight on the Israeli-imposed blockade.

Following the incident, Turkey set three conditions on Israel before it would consider fully restoring ties.

The conditions included an Israeli apology and compensation to the families of the victims of the Mavi Marmara. The apology came in 2013 and a compensation deal was agreed upon in June.

The final condition concerning the lifting of the blockade on Gaza proved to be the stickiest. It now appears that an easing, rather than full lifting, of the blockade has been negotiated by the two sides.