News sites around the world are reporting a major breakthrough in relations between Turkey and Israel.
In a telephone call between Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the two leaders, known to have a longtime strained relationship, agreed to move forward and strengthen economic and diplomatic ties.
Erdoğan approved an ambassador to Israel just this week, after several years’ hiatus.
There have been many other positive steps taken by Turkey over the past two years to come to this point. And President Erdoğan announced at a recent meeting of American Jewish leaders that he will visit Israel.
The effort was initiated by the Ambassador of Turkey to the US, Murat Merčan, who is known for his warm relationship with the American Jewish community.
Diplomatic sources in Turkey and the US have indicated that Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), who visited the Turkish capital just last week, played a significant role in these developments, along with Head Shliach to Turkey and President of ARIS (Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States), Rabbi Mendy Chitrik, who first introduced Ambassador Merčan to Chabad-Lubavitch at the international Living Legacy Conference in 2010.
Communities in both countries greeted this news with a deep sense of appreciation and hope that there will be further good news in the days ahead.
love the way they proudly wear their hats!