Prefer Jewish News on Google
Turkey’s new PM approved amid bid to mend Israel ties
Turkey's new leader Binali Yildirim was given the green light by the president Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Turkey’s powerful president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has approved a new government, with a prime minister seeking to mend troubled ties with Israel.
Binali Yildirim, who is widely considered to be Erdogan’s mouthpiece, replaced anti-Israel premier Ahmet Davutoglu this week, saying: “We will increase the number of our friends, and decrease the number of enemies.”
Turkey and Israel have been negotiating a diplomatic thaw for the last six months, following a deterioration in ties after Israeli commandos stormed a Turkish flotilla to Gaza in 2010, killing nine activists.
Despite this year agreeing a cash-for-refugees deal with Turkey, European leaders are worried about Erdogan’s increasing authoritarian tendencies, and those concerns were reinforced this week, with Yildirim said he would seek to amend the constitution to bulk his boss’s powers further.
In recent months, Erdogan has continued his crackdown on media and government critics, ordering the takeover of the country’s largest independent newspaper and the extended the definition of “terrorist”.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
