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Turkish President Abdullah Gul is confident that his country's Jews pray for him every week – every Sabbath, in fact.

According to a report published Sunday in Turkey's Hurriyet newspaper, Gul told reporters traveling from Turkmenistan, “I have learned that Jews are praying for me in their synagogues every Saturday. All of them are our citizens."

“Our problem is not with the people of Israel,” he continued, “but with the policies pursued by the government of Israel."

Turkish relations with Israel have been in the deep freeze since the Jewish State's counter terrorism Operation Cast Lead against the Hamas terrorist rulers of Gaza in the winter of 2008-2009, strongly condemned by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

At the same time, diplomatic ties have warmed between Turkey and the region's Muslim nations, such as Iran, Syria and Lebanon – all sworn enemies of Israel.

Tensions between Ankara and Jerusalem grew even chillier when nine Turkish IHH terror activists were killed after they attacked IDF Navy commandos who boarded a flotilla ship that tried to break Israel's maritime blockade of Gaza in May.

Nevertheless, military officials in both countries have tried to keep relations on an even keel, despite disruptions both in diplomatic relations and joint military activities