Previously, Turkey and Israel have held joint naval exercises

Turkey asked for a postponement of regular joint military exercises in several countries, in protest, thus against participation in the event of Israel, reported representatives of the Israeli high command.

Joint exercises are carried out to enhance cooperation in the air. This year’s air exercises should involve representatives of international air forces of NATO.

But the United States and Italy said that if Israel will be expelled from the event, they will refuse to participate in it.

The rift in the relationship

In the past, Israel and Turkey have cooperated closely in the military field and not once have held joint naval exercises.

In addition, there is an agreement between countries on the exchange of intelligence, as a result of a treaty on military cooperation of 1996.

Until now, Turkey has remained one of the few Muslim countries that support diplomatic relations with Israel. But with the coming to power in 2002, pro-Islamic Justice and Development Party diplomacy between the two countries deteriorated markedly.

In January, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan defiantly left the meeting of the World Economic Forum, not wishing to be in the same room with Israeli President Shimon Peres.