On Monday, Sept.19, Hillary Clinton, US foreign Secretary held talks with Turkish foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, while previously turkey strongly refused the proposed mediation of US over ruling showdown between Israel and Turkey. The current dispute between Israel and Turkey rose when last year, Israeli commandos attacked Turkish flotilla-bound Gaza, which led to murder of several Turkish citizens.
Since then, the stance of Turkish government has been clear, Devutoglu said after US willingness to mediate between the two that Israel must apologize for its commandos' action. But Israeli officials consistently regretted for deaths of Turkish citizens, but have not apologized yet.
After a year, still there are differences in reports about the incident. Turkey always has emphasized that the raid occurred right in international waters. But Tele Aviv claim that its commandos started shooting right after people on aboard tried to attack them.
However, since then Israeli officials regretted for the incident and offered Turkish government that they are ready to pay money as compensation for victims' family, but Turkey has never come short of demand for formal apology.
Earlier this month, Ahmet Davutoglu announced that his country decided to cut all is commercial, military and political ties with Israel as well as expelled Israel's top diplomats.
Seemingly, the row between two former allies has taken a fresh turn as there is sign of changes in Turkish foreign policy. During years, it has been trying, as a part of NATO, join European Union, but the efforts have not been fruitful yet.
Of course, the policy was too as stumbling-block ahead of strengthening its ties eastward. But changes are growingly occurring. After it's stormed flotilla last year, and its steadfast standing against Israel has been quite helpful in restoring its image within Arab Muslim countries.
Additionally, this change of policy takes place amidst growing civil Arab uprising which already ousted several dictatorial regimes and simmering in some other. Many leading revolution activists assume the Turkish model of democracy as script for their own countries.
Whether it be realized or not, but the very notion would uplift Turkish image and increase its influence among Arab common people, which has more economic and political benefits to the country instead of following western policies. On the other hand, Israel will become more isolated as it has already lost one of its strong allies in the region—Egypt.