Turkish-Israeli relations have fluctuated since the rule of the AKP and the rise of Recep Tayyip Erdogan as Prime Minister in 2003. Considering Erdogan's stances (since war of 2008, and start of Gaza developments) the two side’s relations have also experienced significant up and. On the other hand, in the last few years, Turkey's role in the Middle East has increased, and this role has also been reflected in the issue of Palestine and the view of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. (Photo quoted from Yahoo’s image) 

 

Based on Turkey's foreign strategy, Turkish leaders have taken a fresh look at the Palestinian issue and sought to increase Palestine's place in their foreign policy. In this regard, the Turkish president, who had previously taken a strong anti-Israel stance, announced a few months ago that Ankara wanted better relations with Tel Aviv and stated that they would continue talks at the intelligence level.

 

On the other hand, in the recent Israeli-Palestinian crisis, Erdogan through phone contacts with the leaders of Islamic countries, by defending the Palestinian people, stressing his dissatisfaction from Israeli settlement in the West Bank, and using the international mechanism, emphasizing the two-state solution, using the country’s foreign minister's speech at the OIC meeting, etc., tried to play a leading role in diplomatic efforts on Palestine.

 

What is clear is that the Turkey with the aim of playing a greater role in the Palestinian cause, gaining some prestige and leadership, meeting Turkey's national interests, and keeping the ideological approach of the AKP, is now taking a more serious look at Israeli-Palestinian crisis.

 

In fact, the anti-Israel rhetoric of the Turkish officials about Israel makes it possible for them to present themselves as the only pioneer and hero of the Palestinian cause, and to use this opportunity to easily place themselves at the heart of the developments in the region. Another reason for this approach is to use it for developing domestic policies and to strengthen the position of the ruling party inside Turkey. Such an approach strengthens the position of the government and the Justice and Development Party among the people and surpasses other competitors inside Turkey.

 

In addition, it should be noted that the Turkish government pays serious attention to the situation in Palestine and exploits it as a tool to expand its influence and presence in the Middle East. That means, despite Turkey's occasional and tactical approach to Israel, Turkey wants to strengthen and expand its trade relations with Israel and prevent its geopolitical interests from being placed against Israel.

 

Therefore, the long-term strategic conflict between Israel and Turkey is not in Ankara's interests, because it will jeopardize trade (more than $ 6 billion), and Israel's opposition to Turkey makes Ankara more lonely in the east Mediterranean. In addition, due to Hamas' intellectual ties with the Justice and Development Party (part of the big group of the Muslim Brotherhood), Turkey wants to mediate and resolve the dispute and complete convergence between Hamas and the PA. They also try in consultation with other Muslim leaders, take steps towards Palestinian-Israeli peace and gain concessions from Israel.

 

 

Farzad Ramezani Bonesh

Senior Researcher and Analyst of International Affairs

 

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