Israeli prime minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday, their first conversation since 2013. Photo: Likud
Israeli prime minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday, their first conversation since 2013. Photo: Likud
Israeli prime minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday, their first conversation since 2013. Photo: Likud
Israeli prime minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday, their first conversation since 2013. Photo: Likud

Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkey's Erdogan pledge 'new era' in first call since 2013


Holly Johnston
  • English
  • Arabic

Incoming Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday spoke for the first time in nine years as the former foes rekindle ties.

Israel's PM-elect and Mr Erdogan held a 12-minute phone call and pledged a "new era" for bilateral relations, said a spokesperson for Mr Netanyahu's Likud party. Mr Netanyahu also expressed condolences over the deadly Istanbul bombing, which killed six people last week.

Mr Erdogan told Mr Netanyahu relations must be maintained on "mutual understanding", the Turkish presidency said.

Turkey and Israel have taken numerous steps to repair relations in recent months following years of estrangement. Defence Minister Benny Gantz visited Ankara in October to restore security ties, while President Isaac Herzog met Mr Erdogan in March during the first Israeli state visit to Turkey in 14 years.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu travelled to Israel in May, where he said ties would be boosted after "frank" talks over Jerusalem. Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid visited Ankara the following month.

On Friday, Ankara appointed an ambassador to Israel after a four-year vacancy. Irit Lillian was announced as Israel's envoy to Turkey in September.

Ties between the two countries broke down over Mr Erdogan's staunch support for the Palestinian cause, and hit rock bottom when 10 Turkish citizens were killed in a 2010 Israeli raid on an aid ship heading to Gaza. Israel has also voiced concern over Turkey's hosting of senior Hamas operatives.

Diplomatic relations were restored in 2016, but two years later Turkey recalled its diplomats from Israel and expelled Israeli envoys when Israeli forces killed several Palestinians protesting in the blockaded enclave.

Turkey helped to thwart an Iranian plot to target Israeli tourists visiting the country in June, and Mr Netanyahu offered Ankara more security assistance during Thursday's call with Mr Erdogan.

The Turkish President is said to have offered condolences to Mr Netanyahu over the death of three Israelis in a Palestinian attack on the West Bank settlement of Ariel on Tuesday.

Mr Erdogan congratulated Mr Netanyahu last week after his victory in Israel's fifth election in less than four years put him on course for a sixth term as prime minister. The Turkish President said he hoped for co-operation "that will bring peace and stability to our region".

He had said previously that Turkey wished to maintain ties with Israel regardless of the election outcome.

"Whatever the election result, we want to maintain relations with Israel on a sustainable basis, based on mutual respect for sensitivities and common interests," Mr Erdogan told Turkish broadcaster ATV after the election, which set the stage for Israel to welcome its most right-wing government in history.

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

If you go

The flights

There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.

The trip

Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.

The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.

 

Racecard
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Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

Company%20profile
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Arsenal v Manchester City

Everton v Manchester United

All ties are to be played the week commencing December 21.

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

Inside%20Out%202
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Profile

Company: Justmop.com

Date started: December 2015

Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan

Sector: Technology and home services

Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai

Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month

Funding:  The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups. 

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Updated: November 17, 2022, 2:14 PM