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            It is the issue that has been discussed for a long time, it is expected, but has not yet resulted in the achievement of a reconciliation agreement between Israel and Turkey. An issue that is to some extent related to our national issues, according to many analysts. The latest information and especially a report by the Yedioth Ahronoth TV channel, highlights the issue and reveals that before joining the
The (right-wing) Yisrael Beytenu party government was preceded by a “discreet understanding” between Prime Minister Netanyahu and current Defense Minister and Yisrael Beytenu leader Lieberman, who agreed that the latter would not publicly oppose an Israel-Turkey reconciliation agreement. During the talks on the coalition government, the publication reports, Netanyahu feared possible undermining of the still-unfinished agreement with Turkey by (hardline) Lieberman, who had previously spoken out against the reconciliation agreement. Among other things, Lieberman had stated that the rapprochement with Erdogan was "diplomatic nonsense," that the Turkish president is the successor to Goebbels, and that [Turkey] is used as a headquarters for higher terrorist echelons, such as Hamas, and that it hosts the command center of the organization, which was responsible for the kidnapping and murder of the three [Jewish] teenagers in the Etzion settlement. Characteristically, Lieberman had stated: "Are you serious? This Turkey will suddenly change its 'skin' and become an ally of Israel?"

            Recently, there has been a new, so-called, progress in the talks between the two countries, and according to senior Israeli government officials, the two sides are very close – barring a dramatic setback – to reaching a full reconciliation agreement. Moreover, according to a recent report, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stated that after one or two meetings, a reconciliation agreement with Israel will have been reached. Also, Israeli Minister of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources, Yuval Steinitz (of the Likud party), stated earlier this month that the two sides have agreed on “90% of the issues.”

            And why hasn't the infamous agreement been reached yet, since both sides say they are very close? According to the Yedioth Ahronoth report, the latest "thorn" in the negotiations is the issue of Hamas in Turkey. Israel no longer sets the removal of Hamas as a condition, and intends to compromise with the Turks' promise that Hamas will not act against Israel from Turkish soil. In addition, the Turks have withdrawn their demand for the lifting of the embargo on Gaza, and it has been agreed to build a power plant in the Gaza Strip, as well as to continue to have the ability to transport goods to the residents of Gaza. As the publication also reports, talks between the two countries are continuing by telephone and a meeting of the negotiating teams is scheduled in the near future, at which the final details are expected to be finalized, before the official announcement on the full restoration of Israeli-Turkish relations, which will also entail the reappointment of ambassadors to the two countries.

            Analyzing the above, we find that both sides have watered down their wine and have retreated from the red lines that Turkey had set, especially with their absurd demand for the Israelis, namely the lifting of the blockade of Gaza, which the Israelis have been faithfully implementing for decades, despite the international pressure they receive. If the agreement is finally reached, since we have heard the "same news" many times in the past, it will certainly satisfy old and new friends and allies who have tried for it. Israel's old friends are the USA, which ardently insisted and tried for reconciliation (it is not certain for today) and the new friends (the unholy and incredible friendship for both sides) are Saudi Arabia, which certainly contributed to this rapprochement and the reduction of demands from both sides (and certainly desires it today). 

 As for whether this agreement, when and if it is achieved, will affect our national issues and the all-important strategic agreement between Greece and Israel, we estimate that it will not have a direct impact. This is because for Israel, the axis (and the individual agreements) of Israel-Cyprus-Greece constitutes an important geopolitical factor, which concerns all four pillars of power of a state actor, Defense-Security, Economy, Politics and Culture-Information, as the same applies to Greece and Cyprus. The agreement with Turkey constitutes (for the time being and as long as Erdogan is in power) a necessity and a forced moral and political obligation that must be concluded, so as not to leave pending issues (especially judicial ones), as well as unprotected Israeli citizens and military personnel, in the clutches of Turkey (court decision against Israeli officials and politicians), from the unfortunate (Turkish-inspired and implemented) "Freedom Flotilla" operation for Gaza and the ten dead Turks on the MAVI MARMARA ship, from the military operation of Israeli commandos, in May 2010. So we see.