Erdogan condemns terror attacks; but will it impact Turkey's relations with Hamas?

Times of Israel reports:

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called President Isaac Herzog on Friday and “sharply condemned” the terror attacks that killed 11 Israelis over the last two weeks.

“President Erdogan asked to send his condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones and wished a speedy recovery to the injured,” a statement from Herzog’s office quoted him as saying.

“Both presidents emphasized that on the eve of the holidays of Ramadan, Passover and Easter there is a need for action to maintain calm in the whole region,” the statement said.

Hamas leadership has been, outside Gaza, concentrated in Qatar and Turkey. It is a major base of operations for the terror group. Funding and logistics of terror attacks have come from Hamas in Turkey.

Is Turkey going to distance itself from Hamas, or it is trying to play both sides? Hamas was alarmed at President Herzog's visit, but I have not seen anything concrete that Turkey has done to weaken Hamas in that country. 

It would be a mistake to trust Erdogan. His desire to patch up relations with Israel is not based on liking Israel or disliking Hamas. Israel needs to keep its eyes wide open - and push Turkey to get rid of Hamas if it wants closer ties with the Jewish state.

 

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