Turkish premier visits Israel to promote peace

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Israel today for a visit seeking to mend relations with the Jewish state and join in a new wave of Middle East peace efforts.

Israel and Turkey, an overwhelmingly Muslim state, have long had strong military ties and important trade links. But relations grew strained last year when Erdogan, whose party has its roots in Turkey's Islamic movement, strongly criticised Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.