Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has indicated that he wants to normalize relations with Israel, saying that it would benefit the entire region.

In 2010, the previously warm relationship between Israel and Turkey deteriorated and diplomatic relations were ceded after the deaths of nine Turkish citizens who were killed whilst trying to prevent Israeli commandos taking over a Gaza-bound protest ship, the Mavi Marmara, which had tried to break the naval blockade of Gaza.

In 2013, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paved the way for reconciliation by issuing an apology. It was widely reported last year that detailed discussions had taken place over a compensation deal for the families of those killed aboard the Mavi Marmara. However, Turkey also insisted on an end to Israeli restrictions over the Gaza Strip and talks were thought to have petered out.

In the meantime, Erdogan has sharply condemned Israel, saying last year that Israeli actions in Gaza last year amounted to genocide and “barbarism surpassing Hitler.”

However, Erdogan appeared to alter his tone significantly in his latest statements, when he told reporters, “This normalization process would be good for us, Israel, Palestine and the entire region.”

He added, “The region definitely needs this. I don’t believe the Israeli public is pleased with the current state of relations. We need to consider the interests of the people of the region and introduce peace.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry Director General Dore Gold responded by saying, “Israel has always strived for stable relations with Turkey and is constantly examining ways to achieve that goal.”

Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said that Erdogan’s comments are related to his interest in a recent natural gas deal brokered by Israel.

“I have no doubt that the Turkish president’s declaration regarding his desire to improve relations with Israel stems, among other things, from the advancement in recent months of the gas deal,” said Steinitz.

Recent developments in Turkey and Israel—on energy security and domestic politics, in particular—may help pave the way for a long-awaited rapprochement between the two countries, writes Dan Arbell, Senior Fellow in the Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings in Washington.

’Turkey’s downing of a Russian SU-24 fighter jet along the Syrian border last month has provoked a crisis in its relationship with Russia that affects Turkey’s foreign policy with the most critical element in this feud being its energy security.

Turkey imports most of its natural gas from Russia, and the two sides have long been engaged in talks to expand this relationship through the proposed Turkish Stream natural gas pipeline, which would channel gas to Turkey and Europe underneath the Black Sea (circumventing Ukraine). But on November 26, Russian Minister of Development Alexi Ulyukayev announced the cancellation of the project, sending shock waves throughout Turkey.

The move has prompted concerns among the Turkish leadership about the reliability of Russian gas and a corresponding search for alternative supplies in the region.

Searching for alternative suppliers, Turkey held discussions with Qatar and Azerbaijan, and in recent weeks several statements from Turkish politicians and energy companies called for talks with Israel about future natural gas imports.

The Syrian crisis is another issue on which Turkey may seek quiet Israeli support—particularly the support of Israeli intelligence, which may prove crucial to Turkish war efforts, says Arbell.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office has announced that he would meet Greek Prime Minister Alex Tsiprias next month and the following day the two leaders will hold a three-way meeting in Cyprus with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades. Cooperation over regional natural gas is expected to feature highly on the agenda. It is thought that the timing of the announcement, well in advance of the meetings, may have been a message to President Erdogan that Israel already has healthy relations in the region.