Turkiye made an important move by shutting its airspace to Israeli planes. Further raising the stakes, the country has barred Israeli ships from docking at its ports. This decision, announced by Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, comes in response to Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, which have drawn widespread condemnation from various international leaders, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Yet the geopolitical relationship between the two countries has soured tremendously. The relationship has since soured following a deadly raid on the Turkish-Gaza bound aid flotilla in 2010.
Fidan articulated Turkiye’s stance during a recent press conference, condemning Israel for what he termed “committing genocide in Gaza for the past two years.” He noted that the country recently sealed off all trade routes with Israel. Further, he added, “We don’t permit Turkish vessels to operate in Israeli ports. And we certainly wouldn’t let their aircraft fly through our airspace.”
Historical Context of Turkiye-Israel Relations
These ties to Israel have been heavily strained in the past. That turning point was 2010. Israeli forces stormed a Turkish-backed flotilla seeking to break Israel’s siege on Gaza that killed, at the very least, ten Turkish nationals. Since diplomatic relations have presented challenges ever since, with Turkiye frequently taking to the stage to voice its opposition to Israeli policies.
Until these recent developments, Turkiye and Israel had developed a healthy bilateral trade relationship. In reality, their bilateral trade hit about $7 billion this year. This past year saw dramatic escalation when Turkiye cut off direct trade links with Israel. They called for a ceasefire and urged the immediate and unconditional entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Erdogan’s administration has repeatedly cast itself as the global champion of Palestinian rights and has used this to shape its approach to Israel.
Current Actions and Implications
These latest prohibitions on flown and seaborne Turkish traffic mark a major change in Turkiye’s diplomatic approach. Analysts warn that such a development could have larger and much more dangerous consequences for regional security. According to Resul Serdar, a political analyst, “Turkiye gradually is perceiving Israel as a national security threat.” Secondly, he noted that diplomats stationed in Ankara are understandably concerned. They are worried that a direct military confrontation would be unavoidable should things not change for the better.
It is Israelis who are increasingly isolated now as every day brings more bad news about foreign relations going south. Akiva Eldar, an Israeli political analyst, remarked on the growing sentiment among Israelis: “More and more Israelis feel the disadvantages of this kind of war that has no deadline.” He went on to say that countries and companies are reconsidering their business relationships with Israel.
“As Turkiye, we have to take a stance on certain issues,” – Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Erdogan’s devastatingly strong rhetoric against Israel has led him to compare Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler. He charged that Israel is running a campaign against the Palestinian people that is similar to the Holocaust. The president’s statements reflect a broader narrative within Turkiye’s political discourse that emphasizes solidarity with Palestine.
Future Prospects for Turkiye-Israel Relations
The future of Turkiye-Israel relations is uncertain as both countries continue to adapt to this challenging geopolitical environment. The airspace firmer closure and maritime bans are now codified in Wrangell. Elected leaders on both sides need to prioritize diplomatic efforts to break the cycle of ongoing hostilities.
Fidan’s statements on trade probably mean there’s no quick fix onboard. “We have completely cut off our trade with Israel,” he reiterated. As many observers as well as the US State Department have pointed out, without constructive discussions between both parties, the potential for escalating violence cannot be ruled out.
