The Israeli newspaper “Israel Hayom” said that the person who arranged the phone call between Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan was none other than Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

The Israeli newspaper added that “there is currently no development in the relations between the two parties.”

However, during his call with Herzog, the Turkish President said that there was robust potential for cooperation between the two countries in fields including energy, tourism, and technology.

Besides, the Israeli newspaper reported that Abbas met with Erdogan last week during a three-day diplomatic visit to Ankara.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki, Civil Affairs Minister Hussein al-Sheikh, and General Intelligence Director Majid Faraj were among the delegation that met Erdogan, according to the newspaper.

On Turkey's side, Mevlut Cavusoglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, together with Hakan Fidan, Director of the National Intelligence Organization, were present at the meeting.

During the meeting, Erdogan told Abbas that “It will not be possible to establish lasting peace and stability in the region as long as the Israeli occupation continues.”

On his part, the Palestinian President added that “The Israeli aggression on occupied Jerusalem and the uprooting of residents persist." 

Besides, “Israel Hayom” said that "Abbas worked behind the scenes to warm the relations between Turkey and Israel."