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Europe

Turkish ambassador takes up post in Israel after 5-year spat

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Turkish ambassador to Israel Kemal Okem hands his diplomatic credentials to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the president's official residence in Jerusalem, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. (Ronen Zvulun, Pool via AP) (The Associated Press)

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    Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, right, shakes hands with Turkish ambassador to Israel Kemal Okem after receiving his diplomatic credentials, at the president's official residence in Jerusalem, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. (Ronen Zvulun, Pool via AP) (The Associated Press)

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    Turkish ambassador to Israel Kemal Okem, right, speaks next to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin during a ceremony to present his diplomatic credentials, at the president's official residence in Jerusalem, Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. Turkey and Israel sent new ambassadors to each other’s countries this month as part of a reconciliation deal to end six years of animosity. Relations imploded in 2010 after a confrontation between Israeli commandos and a Turkish flotilla trying to breach the blockade of Gaza that killed 10 Turkish activists. (Ronen Zvulun, Pool via AP) (The Associated Press)

JERUSALEM – Turkey's ambassador to Israel has submitted his credentials as part of reconciliation efforts following a five-year spat.

Mekin Mustafa Kemal Okem met President Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem on Monday, where both spoke of opportunities ahead.

Israel appointed an ambassador to Turkey last month.

Relations declined after Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose party has roots in Turkey's Islamist movement, became prime minister in 2003. They imploded in 2010 after an Israeli naval raid on a Turkish activist ship trying to breach the blockade of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. Nine Turkish activists were killed and a 10th later died of his wounds.