Israel selects new ambassador to Turkey after 6 years

JERUSALEM

Israel on Tuesday appointed its first ambassador to Turkey in six years, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.

A spokesman said Eitan Na’eh, deputy ambassador to the U.K. since 2013, would be the new envoy to Ankara. He previously worked in the Ankara embassy in 1993 and also served as Israel’s ambassador to Azerbaijan.

A Turkish diplomatic official, who spoke anonymously due to restrictions on talking to the media, said Turkey expected the appointment to be urgently approved by both sides.

Turkey and Israel renewed ties in June following a six-year split over the attack on the Mavi Marmara aid ship in May 2010, when Israeli commandos killed 10 Turkish activists on the Gaza-bound ship.

*Reporting by Kaamil Ahmed and Ecenur Colak; Writing by Tutku Umac