Barak visits Turkey in bid to heal rift

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak met with the Turkish defense and foreign ministers in an attempt to repair strained relations. Barak arrived in Turkey for a visit scheduled before the recent diplomatic dispute in which Israel’s deputy foreign minister publicly embarrassed the Turkish ambassador over an anti- Israel television series before apologizing days later. Relations between Israel and Turkey have been strained since Israel’s military operation last winter in Gaza. (JTA)