In a bid to normalize relations, Turkey has appointed an ambassador to Israel after four years.
Ankara had withdrawn its ambassador from Tel Aviv in May 2018 while the Israeli envoy in Ankara was ordered to leave Turkey. The step of calling back of ambassador was taken by Turkey after the Israeli army had killed dozens of Palestinians.
The newly appointed Turkey’s ambassador to Israel, Sakir Ozkan Torunlar, is a veteran diplomat. He has already served in Jerusalem as Turkey’s counsel general from 2010 to 2014.
After the calling back of its envoy from Tel Aviv, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also criticized the policies of Israel towards Palestinians.
However, in a bid to start normalization Erdogan also sent a congratulatory letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his victory in elections earlier this month.
