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| For the First Time in a Decade, Turkish TCG Kemalreis Warship Docked in Israel |
Haifa - A Turkish warship reportedly docked in an Israeli port, Saturday (3/9/2022). This is the first time in more than a decade that a Turkish warship has docked in an Israeli port.
As quoted by the Times of Israel, the TCG Kemalreis, a Barbaros-class frigate, docked in Haifa along with the USS Forrest Sherman, a US guided-missile destroyer. This is part of a NATO exercise.
Video circulating shows TCG Kemalreis being escorted to the port. The ships are expected to remain in Israel for several days. "The docking is part of Israel's cooperation and support with NATO," said a statement from the Israel Defense Forces. No drills or other interactions are planned between the IDF and the Turkish ship, which is considered one of the most modern ships in the Turkish navy.
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| Turkish TCG Kemalreis Warship Docked in Israel |
The TCG Kemalreis is the first Turkish warship to dock in Israel since 2010, according to Hebrew media reports. A Haifa port official said this was the first time a Turkish Navy ship had visited Israel, since at least 2010, when bilateral relations were shattered by an Israeli raid on a pro-Palestinian aid convoy trying to break through its blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The Turkish sailors did not have passports, and were therefore unable to leave the ship. An official told the Walla news website that "they are not interested in going ashore right now". The ship's arrival comes after Israel and Turkey agreed to re-establish full diplomatic relations last month. The two countries are also reported to be placing their respective ambassadors soon.