The decision to allow Palestinians to fly to Turkey via Ramon International Airport near Eilat consists of four elements: human, economic, diplomatic, and security.
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On the human side, Israel isn't just implementing its commitments under the Oslo Accords and international conventions – allowing freedom of movement to people under its rule – but also understands that holding people under prolonged siege is a recipe for trouble.
All terrorism-related research indicates that desperation in its various forms is a bad omen; and that improving quality of life (trips abroad certainly fall in the category) helps keep people away from evil paths as provides them an alternative for a more sane life. Replacing the cumbersome trip into Jordan, via the Allenby Bridge border crossing, with a far easier bus ride to Ramon Airport would certainly provide relief and make life better for many people.
On the economic side, there's value here for all parties involved. The Palestinian economy will benefit because those traveling abroad will need transportation and a bevy of other services. The Israeli economy will benefit because the new route will create more jobs at the semi-operational Ramon Airport. And the Turkish economy will benefit from the Palestinian tourists visiting their country and spending money on hotels, leisure activities, restaurants, and shopping, or simply passing through on their way to other destinations.
On the diplomatic side, the achievement is three-fold: Israel and the Palestinian Authority have been at an impasse for many years, and the challenge for Israel is to allow as many Palestinians as possible to live normal lives without impairing national security. The flights to Turkey certainly qualify in this regard, and can also be presented as a trust-building measure with the PA leadership. This is also a diplomatic achievement with Turkey, albeit a more modest one, which continues the trend of rapprochement between the countries and their mutual efforts to help one another on numerous fronts.
As for the United States, this gives Israel an opportunity to exhibit goodwill toward the Palestinians, which is important to the Biden administration and will also contribute to ultimately securing visa waivers for Israelis traveling to the US.
The main challenge will be on the security front. The Shin Bet security agency, Israel Police, and Israel Airports Authority will have to thoroughly vet passenger lists to make sure no wanted terror suspects leave the country or, conversely, enter Israel on incoming flights. Suffice it to say, the relevant authorities will also enhance certain security measures around the airport (even though Israeli airports are already among the most secure in the world) and the lengthy route – Highway 90 – from the Palestinian Authority in Samaria to Ramon Airport.
The bottom line is that the potential benefits of this initiative far outweigh the risks. Israel is big and strong enough to meet this challenge, which should create another small island of sanity – for us, and mainly for the Palestinians.
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