Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Turkey – the first such visit by an Israeli leader since 2008 - has put Turkish-Isearli relations in the spotlight. Turkey’s President Erdogan described the visit as a “turning point” in relations between the two countries. Despite Erdogan’s stated optimism, key differences still need to be resolved, and a major sticking point in rebuilding this relationship is Turkey’s support of the terrorist group Hamas. Expert Alan Makovsky joins our host Thanos Davelis to discuss the recent visit by Israel’s president to Turkey, the state of relations between Jerusalem and Ankara, and the key issue of Turkey’s support for Hamas. We also explore why the US should press Turkey to end its ties to Hamas.

Alan Makovsky is a senior fellow for national security and international policy at the Center for American Progress, and has worked on Turkey and the region in several capacities, including as a senior staff member on the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the House of Representatives and at the State Department.

Read Alan Makovsky’s latest piece here: For Sake of Regional Stability, U.S. Should Support Israel in Seeking End to Turkey-Hamas Ties

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