Yalcin Dogan, a columnist of the Hurriyet daily referred to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Israel in his article on Tuesday.
''Prior to Prime Minister Erdogan's visit, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon instructed Israeli officials, 'no one will recall Prime Minister Erdogan his previous statements. His visit to Israel is an apology all on its own.' Despite the warning, a diplomatic crisis emerged again. Israel encouraged Ankara not to visit Palestine. But, Ankara insisted on the visit to Ramallah. After a series of correspondence, Israel accepted Prime Minister Erdogan's plans to visit Palestine.
During his meetings in Israel, Prime Minister Erdogan said that he was ready to act as a mediator between Israel and Palestine. He expressed his willingness several times. He even said at his joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Sharon, 'we were born to be mediators'. In fact, Israel is willing to intensify its bilateral relations with Turkey, such as sale of more weapons to Turkey, dispatch of more water from Turkey and investment opportunities in Southeastern Anatolia. Also, exchange of intelligence between Turkish and Israeli secret services MIT and MOSSAD.
On the other hand, Jerusalem has made a nice gesture by sending a note supporting Turkey's candidacy to the United Nations Security Council.''