Netanyahu: Failed coup in Turkey won’t affect reconciliation

Israel’s prime minister has said he hopes the upheaval in Turkey will not impact upon the two countries reconciliation deal, following a failed coup against Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan,

Turkey’s leader survived the coup launched last Friday, and then moved swiftly to shore up his power saying on Sunday the government had detained 6,000 people.

Benjamin Netanyahu said at his weekly cabinet meeting: “Israel and Turkey recently agreed on a reconciliation process between them. We assume that this process will continue without any connection to the dramatic events in Turkey over the weekend.”

Israel’s ministry of foreign affairs said it “respects the democratic process in Turkey and looks forward to the continuation of the reconciliation process between Turkey and Israel.”

Coup plotters sent warplanes firing on key government installations and tanks rolling into major cities. But, the rebellion against the attempted removal of the president – which was not supported by the military’s top brass -was quashed by loyal government forces and masses of civilians who took to the streets.

At least 294 people were killed and more than 1,400 wounded in the rebellion which took the government – and much of the world – by surprise.

In late June, following extensive negotiations, Israel and Turkey agreed terms to return to full diplomatic relations. The deal included a $20 million compensation fund for victims of the Israeli commando raid on Turkish aid workers sailing towards Gaza in 2010, leaving nine dead.

In turn, Turkey’s rulers have agreed to help convince Islamists Hamas in Gaza to repatriate two Israeli nationals and the bodies of Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, two Israeli soldiers killed in the 2014 conflict.