Turkish FM makes rare visit to Israel as nations mend ties

By JOSEPH KRAUSS
Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — Turkey’s foreign minister has visited Israel as part of ongoing efforts to improve ties between the two countries. They have often been bitterly divided over Turkey’s support for the Palestinians. It’s the first official visit to Israel by a Turkish official in 15 years. The foreign minister says normalizing ties with Israel and addressing disagreements in a “constructive manner” will contribute to a peaceful resolution to the Mideast conflict, and had recently helped to calm tensions in Jerusalem. Israel’s president, who has led the reconciliation process with his Turkish counterpart, meanwhile acknowledged it was “not a lullaby of Romeo and Juliet” but based on mutual interests.