With Erdogan on cusp of keeping power, Israel has reason to root for former foe

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appears to have weathered what is likely the most serious challenge to his continued rule yet. Though the Turkish economy is in tatters, and his policies rendered the massive February earthquakes even more deadly, his People’s Alliance protected its parliamentary majority, and he appears poised to win a run-off election on May 28.

Though Erdogan is no great friend of Israel, and has been one of the Jewish state’s most vocal critics, there is one big reason why Jerusalem may be quietly breathing a sigh of relief at the Islamist’s survival.

“After the elections, normalization will be more secure than ever,” insisted Batuhan Takis, managing editor at the Turkish daily Daily Sabah. “We can see he’s very dedicated to furthering this normalization.” READ MORE