Israeli president concludes historic visit to Turkiye

By Burak Dag

ANKARA (AA) - Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday concluded his historic visit to Turkiye after meeting with representatives of Turkiye's Jewish community at a synagogue in Istanbul.

Herzog arrived in Ankara on Wednesday on a state visit, the first by an Israeli head of state in 14 years.

Ahead of bilateral talks with Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Herzog first visited Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Republic of Turkiye, and laid a wreath at Ataturk's gravesite.

After leaving Anitkabir, Herzog was welcomed by Erdogan with an official ceremony at the presidential complex.

Herzog’s historic visit was marked by both leaders’ strong messages on regional stability, peace, and strengthening cooperation between Turkiye and Israel.

Moreover, his visit to Istanbul’s Neve Shalom Synagogue was of particular importance for the Israeli president.

Thirty years after the 1992 visit to the synagogue of his late father, Israel’s sixth president, Chaim Herzog, Isaac Herzog met Turkiye’s Jewish community in the synagogue.

Before his departure, the Israeli president said on Twitter: "Concluding a deeply moving state visit in Turkey. I thank President @RTErdogan for the desire to turn a new leaf in Israel-Turkey relations and move forward to a better future as good neighbors in our Mediterranean region."

Herzog's visit, the first by an Israeli head of state in many years, is seen as a step towards improved relations with Turkiye.