Following the release of two Israeli tourists after a week in prison on spying charges, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone conversation with his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog where the two leaders underlined the mutual benefits of maintaining talks.

After the talks with Herzog, Erdogan also had a 15-minute phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, the first contact ever since Bennett became prime minister in June. Bennett called to thank Erdogan for his personal involvement in the return of the Israeli couple to Israel. No official statement was made on further content in Erdogan and Bennett's talks at the time of publication.

A short statement from the Turkish Presidency on the Erdogan-Herzog talks said that Erdogan stressed to Herzog, whose role is ceremonial, the significance of Turkey-Israel relations for the security and stability of the Middle East.

“Erdogan also said that differences of opinion [between the two] can be minimized if there is mutual understanding on both bilateral and regional issues,” the statement said.