Israel

Turkish Ambassador Takes Up Post in Israel

Monday, December 12, 2016 8:27 am | < 1 Minute Read

Turkish ambassador to Israel Kemal Okem, center left, stands for the Turkish national anthem before presenting his diplomatic credentials to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin before presenting his diplomatic credentials, at the president's official residence in Jerusalem, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. Turkey and Israel sent new ambassadors to each other’s countries this month as part of a reconciliation deal to end six years of animosity. Relations imploded in 2010 after a confrontation between Israeli commandos and a Turkish flotilla trying to breach the blockade of Gaza that killed 10 Turkish activists. (Ronen Zvulun, Pool via AP) — Turkish ambassador to Israel Kemal Okem (C) stands for the Turkish national anthem before presenting his diplomatic credentials to President Reuven Rivlin, at the president’s official residence in Yerushalayim, Monday. (Ronen Zvulun, Pool via AP)

Turkey’s ambassador to Israel has submitted his credentials as part of reconciliation efforts following a five-year spat.

Mekin Mustafa Kemal Okem met President Reuven Rivlin in Yerushalayim on Monday, where both spoke of opportunities ahead.

Israel appointed an ambassador to Turkey last month.

Relations declined after Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose party has roots in Turkey’s Islamist movement, became prime minister in 2003. They imploded in 2010 after an Israeli naval raid on a Turkish ship trying to breach the blockade of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. Nine Turkish provocateurs were killed and a 10th later died of his wounds.

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