The level of trust between Israel and Turkey

Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Ankara is aimed at launching a process of normalization of ties between Israel and Turkey.

This comes after more than a decade of volatile relations, as Erdogan is trying to transition a Turkish foreign policy marked by confrontation with neighbors to a more cooperative one.

Recent Turkish efforts at normalization is happening in a very different context compared to a decade ago. Erdogan is facing great economic difficulties at home. His approval ratings are down; public opinion polls indicate opposition parties could muster a majority if elections were held today.

Furthermore, as noted by several analysts and retired ambassadors, Turkish foreign policy has left the country isolated in the region, leading Erdogan to embark on an energetic effort to rebuild relations with the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

In the past decade, Turkey has opened its arms to Hamas and other branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in the Middle East. Hamas in Turkey continues to operate its Istanbul headquarters, recruiting Arabs for intelligence work and to carry out terrorist attacks. 

Senior Hamas member Salah al-Arouri, whom Turkey supposedly deported at Israel's request, continues to handle his people there and even organize training and target practice in Turkey.

The fact that a few leaders of Turkey's defense establishment today are identified as Muslim Brotherhood members, along with Turkey's ties with Iran, does nothing to boost the low level of trust between Israel and Turkey.