Israel's relationship with Turkey, once a cornerstone of regional stability, has undergone significant strain. In the mid- to late-1990s, their military alliance was central to a peace-through-strength initiative, deterring regional conflicts through cooperation in military, commercial, and tourism sectors. However, Turkey has become more Islamic over time, and under Prime Minister Recep Erdogan, who has led since 2003, tensions have escalated. Erdogan's rhetoric against Israel has intensified since 2006, culminating in his February statement labeling Zionism a crime against humanity. A notable conflict arose from the 2010 Israeli commando raid on a Turkish ship attempting to run a blockade, resulting in nine deaths. Under pressure from the United States, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret and promised compensation to Erdogan, who accepted the apology. Both nations agreed to reinstate ambassadors and restore diplomatic ties, but progress has stalled after three rounds of talks. Jerusalem resists admitting the compensation as acknowledgment of a wrongful act, while Ankara demands a significantly higher payment, acceptance of blame, and evidence of improved living conditions for Palestinians. Despite shared interests in limiting radical Islam, preventing Syrian conflict spillover, countering Iran's nuclear ambitions, and maintaining regional stability as democratic, pro-Western U.S. allies, the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East now holds more potential for conflict between Israel and Turkey. Economic and territorial tensions over eastern Mediterranean natural-gas reservoirs, alongside Israel's stronger ties with Cyprus and Greece, add to the strain. While a return to past strategic cooperation seems unlikely, both nations could benefit from seizing the opportunity to reestablish close ties, especially for Israel, which faces stressful isolation in the region.