New crisis between Ankara and Tel Aviv: Turkey cancels deal to buy “Israeli” Heron aircrafts

In a sudden decision that would deepen the crisis in Turkish-"Israeli" relations, the Turkish government took the decision to cancel the purchase of "Israeli" Heron Drones.
"Al Hurriyat" -Liberties- newspaper stated in its edition issued on Saturday that the decision was delivered to chancellorship of Turkish defense industry which in its turn will deliver the decision to "Israel".

In 2004, Turkey had signed on a deal with "Israel" to buy ten drone planes of the Heron type worth $183 million. But "Israel" did not adhere to its obligations and delayed the delivery of the aircrafts. In addition, "Israel" raised the value of the deal to $220 million, and most important is that the aircrafts Turkey received were not of the required technical characteristics; as Turkey had required planes that fly up to 24 consecutive hours at an altitude of up to 10 kilometers.

This cancellation resolution , which is expected to be announced officially Today Saturday coincided with the scheduled visit of the Minister of Trade and Industry Benjamin Ben-Eliezer on Sunday to Turkey.Worth mentioning that this is the first visit since relations soured between the two countries. Is is the first visit of an" Israeli" minister to Turkey since the "Israeli" war on Gaza Strip at the end of 2008, which raised criticism by Ankara and worsened the relations between the two countries.