Relations between Turkey and Israel have been poor since the Mavi Marmara incident where Israeli security forces raided a Turkish vessel killing nine volunteers in a peace armada.
Israel eventually offered an apology to Turkey over the incident while Turkey also demanded compensation for the relatives of the victims and an end to the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Israel refused and relations have remained in the freezer much to the dismay of the Americans.
Yet we have a saying in Turkish that "a nuisance also creates good happenings" and the recent intransigent behavior of Russia in Syria and the growing Iranian presence in Syria and Iraq have been an eye opener for both Israel and Turkey.
Israel has always regarded Iran as its archenemy and Tehran has repeatedly said its main goal is the destruction of the Jewish state. Israel has said it will not remain idle if Iran develops a nuclear bomb and Israeli officials have repeatedly said Tehran is close to acquiring the bomb. Israel has also vehemently opposed the nuclear deal between the western powers and Iran.
Ankara on the other hand feels completely let down by Tehran. Iran and Turkey have been silent rivals in the region for the years yet Ankara has always supported Iran at the worst of times. Ankara helped to start the nuclear talks between the West and Iran; it opposed western sanctions against Iran. Despite all this Iran never gave up its expansionist aims, spreading its influence actively throughout the Middle East. Iran sent forces into Syria, dispatched "volunteers" into Iraq and has supported the Shiite uprising in Bahrain and Yemen. Its involvement in Iraq is very clear.
Iran has been behind Iraqi protests that Turkey has invaded Bashiqa near Mosul. Iran has been behind the land attacks against the Turkmens in northern Syria. Iran is also now providing support to Turkey's PKK terrorists.
Russia on the other hand has been courting Israel for years. However, its presence in Syria is a source of deep concern for Israel, as much as the Iranian presence in that country. Iran and Russia are trying to help the Assad regime survive, which is not so welcoming for the Israelis. Israel has shown it will hit Iran's Hezbollah fighters in Syria. The Russian presence is also a source of deep concern for Turkey. The fact that Turkey has been involved in the incident of the downing of the Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border has shown Ankara the need to revive old alliances and friendships in the region.
Thus Turkey has seen that its political interests need to mend fences with Israel.
Besides all this, Israel wants to export its natural gas and the best route is through Turkey. That too brings the two countries together.
Turkey and Israel will now have to solve the issue of easing the blockade against the Palestinians and exchange of ambassadors.
