A senior security official denies that any deals are set to be signed and says the Israeli visit to Turkey is to build trust.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz took off to Turkey on Wednesday, as the two countries are poised to establish stronger military ties with the aim of strengthening regional security and stability.
The visit, the first by an Israeli defense minister in over a decade, comes just days before the election.
Gantz will meet with his counterpart Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and be welcomed by an honor guard in Ankara.
A senior security official told journalists that it is a “historic visit” that will focus on the building of trust between the two officials.
What will Gantz and his Turkish counterpart discuss?
According to the senior official, both countries have their own interests in the resumption of ties, with Israel hoping to become a stronger strategic player in the region, especially regarding Iran. And Turkey is seen as a key player in the region, including in Syria where Israel has been working for over a decade to thwart Iran’s plans for a forward base against the Jewish state.
According to the official, Iran’s involvement in Syria will be one of the issues discussed between Gantz and Hakar.
“The signing of the Abraham Accords, possible new ties with other Gulf countries, together with the integration to CENTCOM, they all strengthen the Israeli presence in the region in the region-in terms of military-defense, diplomacy and possible future industrial ties. Especially against Iran.”
Senior security official
“The signing of the Abraham Accords, possible new ties with other Gulf countries, together with the integration to CENTCOM, they all strengthen the Israeli presence in the region in the region-in terms of military-defense, diplomacy and possible future industrial ties,” he said. “Especially against Iran.”
“We need to engage with everyone,” he added.
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