Azerbaijan nervous over severed Turkey-Israel ties- expert

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey is attempting fit into the process of drastic changes the Middle East is currently undergoing, according to a political analyst, Caucasus Institute director.

“Turkey's downscaling ties with Israel is demonstrative of Ankara's attempt to strengthen its position in the Arab World, which would be impossible in case of good relations with Jerusalem,” Alexander Iskandaryan told a news conference in Yerevan.

“Exacerbation of Turkey-Israel ties is, in turn, impacting Azerbaijan, forcing it into responding in a certain way, while Baku clearly dislikes the idea of reacting to Turkey-Israel, Turkey-Iran relations. However, I doubt the official Baku will be albe to change anything in the major powers' game,” the expert stressed.

As Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said earlier, more sanctions against Israel could follow the expulsion of the Israel's ambassador and suspension of military ties. Turkey also suspended military deals after Israel refused to apologize for the botched Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound protest flotilla that killed nine pro-Palestinian activists last year. Israel has expressed regret for the loss of lives. Erdogan described the raid as "savagery" and accused Israel of acting like "a spoiled boy" in the region.