Politics

The rattling of sabres between Israel and Turkey grows louder

After Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent comments about military action, the two states seem to have hit a new nadir. Yet it wasn’t always so, and some suggest there is no fire with the smoke

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been critical of Israel's war in Gaza

The rattling of sabres between Israel and Turkey grows louder

Omer Onhon

last update on 31 Jul 2024

On Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made headlines for implying military action in relation to Israel and its war against the Palestinians.

Referring to the war in Gaza, he said: “We must be very strong so that Israel cannot do these ridiculous things to Palestine. Just as we entered Karabakh and Libya, we will do the same to them (Israel).”

This has created a new element of tension in the already problematic relations between Turkey and Israel. It is a far cry from 1948, when Turkey was the first country in the Muslim world to recognise Israel and establish diplomatic relations.

In later years, there were disagreements. At times, ambassadors were recalled, and the level of diplomatic representation downgraded, but despite the hiccups, relations continued throughout.

Calm before the storm

In 1996, the two countries signed a defence cooperation agreement, which marked a high point. Israeli pilots trained in Turkey and trade flourished. In the middle of a hostile region, Turkey became a favourite destination for Israeli tourists.

Dilara Senkaya/Reuters — The European side of Istanbul and the Bosphorus as seen from the residential areas of the Asian side on July 26, 2024.

After Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) won a sweeping election victory in 2002, relations took on a different dimension.

His strong reaction to Israel’s assassination of Hamas founder Sheikh Yassin in 2004 signposted what was to come. Since 2004, numerous crises and spats have led to a downward tilt in relations.

In 2009, Erdoğan clashed with Israeli President Shimon Peres at the World Economic Forum in Davos, leaving the stage after the moderator refused to allow him chance to respond to Peres’s claims on Gaza.

This new tension is a far cry from 1948, when Turkey became the first country in the Muslim world to recognise Israel and establish diplomatic relations

A year later, Israeli commandos raided the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara ship carrying aid to Palestinians in the Strip. In the ensuing clashes, ten Turks were killed.

After years of strain and deep mutual dislike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Erdoğan at the United Nations in New York in September 2023.

AFP — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) meeting at United Nations General Assembly on September 19, 2023.

They were friendly for the cameras, Erdoğan saying Netanyahu would visit Turkey in the near future.

And then came Gaza

Things appeared brighter. But days later, relations took a turn for the worse when Israel launched a military operation in Gaza on an unprecedented scale after Gaza-based militants attacked southern Israel on 7 October, killing around 1,200 people.

Ever since, Erdoğan has been critical of Israeli actions, and imposed economic sanctions on Israel earlier this year.

Bashar Taleb/AFP — Displaced Palestinians return to Bani Suhayla and neighbouring towns east of Khan Yunis following reports of Israeli forces withdrawing from the area in the southern Gaza Strip on July 30, 2024.

Internationally, Turkey has been visibly active to stop Israel's offensive in Gaza. Erdoğan and all other Turkish politicians, including the main opposition party, say Netanyahu's invitation to address the US Congress and meet US leaders was shameful.

When a Turkish opposition politician questioned why Mahmoud Abbas had not been invited to address the Turkish Parliament, Erdoğan said that he had already extended an invitation, but Abbas had declined. He said he now expected an apology from Abbas.

Some think Abbas declined because of allegations that Turkey is continuing to trade with Israel despite Erdoğan's rhetoric. Others think it is because Erdoğan recently hosted the political leadership of Hamas.

AFP — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Palestinian movement Hamas, in Istanbul on April 20, 2024.

The Palestinian Ambassador to Ankara, Faed Mustafa, told the Turkish press that Abbas, 88, would visit soon and meet Erdoğan, with talks ongoing regarding the timing and programme details.

Supporting the Palestinians

Ahmet Davutoğlu, a former Turkish prime minister and foreign minister who later parted his ways with AKP, called on Erdoğan to invite Hamas's political leader Ismail Haniyeh to address the Turkish Parliament.

All Turkish politicians say Benjamin Netanyahu's invitation to address the US Congress and meet US leaders was shameful.

Davutoğlu is known to be very passionate about the Palestinian cause and to have close ties with Hamas. Erdoğan has not responded to the idea as yet, but Haniyeh has said he would be honoured to do so.

Turkey supports Palestinian reconciliation and is known to have involved itself in this cause. In fact, Hamas and Fatah officials met in Istanbul on 7 October 2023, the day Hamas attacked Israel.

It is said that Abbas considers Erdoğan to be close to Hamas due to their shared ideological affiliation, while Erdoğan regards Abbas as a leader who is incapable of representing the Palestinians and their cause.

Erdoğan's explanation of why the war in Gaza concerns Turkey is interesting: he said the defence of Anatolia starts in Gaza. "Who can guarantee that those who raze Gaza to the ground today will not set their dirty eyes on Anatolia tomorrow?" he asked.

Marko Djurica/Reuters — Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Serbia in 2022. His recent comments about military action in relation to Gaza has stoked tension.

His recently reference to Karabakh and Libya were reminders of Turkey's role there. In both places, Turkish drones and operators, as well as Turkish special forces working alongside local affiliates, are said to have played an important role in deciding the outcome of the fighting.

In a spatz with Katz

It is hard to say whether Erdoğan meant what he said, or whether his words were given meaning beyond his intention. Still, it drew a quick response from Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz.

On social media, Katz posted a photo of Erdoğan and another of the bedraggled former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein upon his capture by US forces.

In Karabakh and Libya, Turkish drone operators and special forces are said to have played an important role

"Erdoğan is following in the footsteps of Saddam Hussein and threatening to attack Israel," Katz wrote. "Let him remember what happened there and how it ended."

The Turkish Foreign Ministry responded in kind, writing that "genocidal Netanyahu will end up like genocidal Hitler, and those seeking to destroy the Palestinians will be held accountable, just like the Nazis".

Shir Torem/Reuters — A protester holds an Israeli flag during a demonstration against an investigation into the suspected abuse of a Palestinian detainee by Israeli military reservists on July 30, 2024.

The Israeli-Turkish heyday of the late 20th century is now just a distant memory. Tensions between the pair are no longer temporary or cyclical. Like those between Iran and Israel, there now appears to be a permanent enmity.

The US is talking to both sides, trying to ease the tension between its two allies and hoping that this war of words will not turn into a direct confrontation.

On the home front, Erdoğan appears to be representing the views of almost all Turks, who agree that Israel is committing genocide and war crimes against the Palestinians.

Even so, Erdoğan's approach has created controversy. While Conservatives and Islamists are pleased with his statements, others see them problematic, being neither in Turkey's best interests, nor helpful to the Palestinian people.

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