ISRAEL – HAMAS CONFLICT: TÜRKIYE’S PERSPECTIVE

Introduction

The Israel-Hamas conflict, a long-standing geopolitical storm, has been at the centre of Middle Eastern politics for decades. In the aftermath of the Hamas attack on October 7, it became increasingly evident that the issue, steeped in decades of history, cannot be understood in isolation. It’s a part of a broader geopolitical context, influenced by global superpowers and regional players alike. The recent surge in violence has not only rekindled the fears of an unending struggle but has also brought regional powers back into the spotlight, particularly Türkiye. An understanding of the Turkish perspective is crucial, given its unique position as a secular country with a majority Muslim population, its historical ties to both the Arab world and the West, and its recent assertive foreign policy manoeuvres under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

It is also worth an exploration of the geopolitical undercurrents. The Western powers, primarily the US, UK, Germany, and France, have long maintained a complex relationship with the region, often driven by strategic interests rather than humanitarian considerations. However, the geopolitical landscape is not static. The rise of Asian powers, especially India, marks a shift in the diplomatic ties surrounding the Israel-Palestine issue. India’s approach, characterized by a diplomatic tightrope walk, maintains a careful balance between its strategic partnership with Israel and its historical stance on Palestine.

Historical Context

The historical trajectory of the Israel-Palestine conflict reveals a series of missed opportunities and diplomatic failures. From the unmet promises of the Oslo Accords to various initiatives that fell short of addressing the core issues, the path to peace has been fraught with challenges. The conflict is not merely a territorial dispute but a complex narrative of historical grievances, cultural identities, and political aspirations.

Overview of Türkiye-Israel Relations

Türkiye was the first Muslim-majority country to formally recognize Israel in 1949. However, the relationship between the two nations has been a roller coaster, influenced by regional conflicts, domestic politics, and the Palestinian issue. The golden era of Türkiye-Israel relations occurred during the 1990s, marked by strong military and intelligence cooperation. However, relations began to decline in the 2000s, particularly after the “Mavi Marmara” incident in 2010, where a Turkish ship, part of a flotilla attempting to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza, was raided by Israeli forces, resulting in the deaths of several Turkish citizens.

Evolution of Türkiye’s Stance on the Palestinian Issue

Türkiye’s support for the Palestinian cause is not just diplomatic rhetoric but a consistent feature of its foreign policy reflecting historical, religious, and humanitarian considerations. The Ottoman Empire, which included Palestine, positioned Türkiye as a natural stakeholder. President Erdogan has been vocally supportive of the Palestinian cause, often framing it in terms of broader Muslim solidarity. This stance intensified after the Arab Spring, with Türkiye positioning itself as a champion of Palestinian rights and a critic of Israeli policies.

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Milestones in Türkiye-Hamas Relations

Türkiye’s relationship with Hamas has been a point of contention with its Western allies, particularly the USA and Israel, who designate Hamas as a terrorist organization. Despite this, Türkiye hosted Hamas leaders in 2020, emphasizing the group’s role as a legitimate political actor, a part of its broader strategy to gain influence in Palestinian politics and to position itself as a key negotiator in the peace process.

Importance of the Turkish Perspective in the Regional Geopolitical Context

Türkiye’s geopolitical significance in the Israel-Hamas conflict is multifaceted, stemming from its historical legacy, strategic location, and ambitions as a regional power.

Inside the Labyrinth: Internal Political Dynamics

The internal political scenarios in Israel and Palestine add layers of complexity to the conflict. The Palestinian leadership, divided between Hamas and Fatah, lacks the unified front necessary for any meaningful peace negotiations. Meanwhile, Israel’s political landscape, marked by recent instabilities, shapes its approach to the conflict, often influenced by domestic political agendas more than regional peace aspirations.

Strategic Geographical Position

Straddling Europe and Asia, Türkiye occupies a strategic position that has historically been a bridge between the East and West. This unique geography gives Türkiye a pivotal role in regional geopolitics, including the Middle East conflict, as it shares borders with countries in the Balkans, the Caucasus, and the Middle East. Its proximity to conflict zones, adjacency to key maritime straits, and its status as a NATO member amplify its strategic importance.

Historical Legacy and Cultural Influence

As the successor state to the Ottoman Empire, which once controlled vast territories, including Palestine, Türkiye has historical ties to the region. These ties are not just political but also cultural and religious, giving Türkiye a form of legitimacy and influence in the eyes of many people in the region. This historical depth is often invoked in Türkiye’s foreign policy rhetoric, especially under the Justice and Development Party (AKP), which seeks to revive Türkiye’s regional influence.

Balancing Act in Foreign Relations

Türkiye’s foreign policy is characterized by a balancing act between East and West, often leveraging its relationships with the US, Russia, the EU, and regional powers. Its stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict is also seen through this prism. While Türkiye has strategic ties with the West, including its NATO membership, it has often pursued an independent foreign policy line, especially on issues like the Israel-Palestine conflict, where it believes that Western powers have not adequately supported Palestinian rights. Türkiye also has reservations about the prospects for a comprehensive peace process. Analysts close to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs observed that the international community’s focus has shifted towards managing the conflict rather than actively seeking a resolution, favouring short-term stability over long-term peace strategies.

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Leadership Ambitions in the Muslim World

Under President Erdogan, Türkiye has sought to position itself as a leader in the Muslim world, championing Muslim causes worldwide, with Palestine being central. This stance is partly due to religious solidarity and partly a strategic move to gain soft power in the Muslim world. Its support for Hamas, a significant player in Palestinian politics, should also be seen in this context. By supporting Hamas, Türkiye aims to bolster its credentials as a Muslim leader, counterbalance other regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Iran, and gain leverage in any future peace initiatives.

Economic and Humanitarian Considerations

Türkiye’s involvement is not just political. It has also been a significant donor of humanitarian aid to Palestine, often highlighting the plight of Palestinians on the international stage. Moreover, Türkiye seeks to expand its economic influence through trade and investment in the region, and a stable Middle East is critical for its economic interests.

In conclusion, the Turkish perspective on the Israel-Hamas conflict is a complex interplay of historical legacy, strategic interests, religious solidarity, and geopolitical ambitions. Understanding this perspective is crucial for any meaningful analysis of the conflict and the broader geopolitics of the Middle East.

Current Conflict and Türkiye’s Role

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has once again caught the world’s attention, drawing various responses from international players. Türkiye, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been particularly vocal, condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza and advocating strongly for the Palestinian cause on the international stage.

Türkiye’s Response to the Current Israel-Hamas Conflict

Türkiye has responded to the current conflict with strong rhetoric. President Erdoğan has publicly condemned Israel’s actions as “terrorist” and “genocidal”, accusations that have led to a sharp response from Israel. Beyond rhetoric, Türkiye has called for international intervention and has even suggested sending an international protection force to the region. On the humanitarian front, Türkiye has pledged support for the people of Gaza, sending medical supplies and other aid. The humanitarian crisis ensuing from the conflict underscored the urgent need to alleviate civilian suffering, calling for concerted international efforts to address the humanitarian needs of those caught in the crossfire.

Diplomatic Actions and Rhetoric

On the diplomatic front, Türkiye has been active both bilaterally and multilaterally. It has reached out to various world leaders and international organizations, advocating for decisive action to stop the violence. Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts have included calls for an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), where it has pushed for a unified stance against Israel’s actions. Additionally, Türkiye has been in communication with the Palestinian leadership, expressing solidarity and offering support.

Analysis of Potential Motives and Strategies

Türkiye’s strong response to the current conflict can be attributed to a mix of ideological, domestic, and geopolitical factors. Ideologically, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK

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Party) aligns itself with Islamist causes, and supporting Palestine serves to bolster its Islamic credentials both domestically and in the wider Muslim world.

Domestically, taking a strong stance against Israel is popular among the Turkish populace, and thus, it serves to bolster the AKP’s support base. Geopolitically, Türkiye is seeking to assert itself as a key player in the Middle East, and being a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause helps it gain influence in the Arab world. However, this approach is not without risks, as it has led to tensions with both the U.S. and its European allies, and has further complicated its already complex relationship with Israel.

Another opportunity voiced by experts is that a recognized sovereign state of Palestine could help Türkiye to establish a maritime zone neighbourhood much like the one with Libya.

In conclusion, Türkiye’s response to the current Israel-Hamas conflict is driven by a complex mix of ideological alignment, domestic politics, and geopolitical strategy. Its strong rhetoric and diplomatic efforts underscore its desire to be seen as a leading advocate for the Palestinian cause and a major player in the Middle East.

Geopolitical Implications

The current Israel-Hamas conflict and Türkiye’s stance on it have significant implications for its relations with other countries and its standing in the international community. This section will analyse the impact on Türkiye’s relations with Israel, the repercussions for its standing in the Middle East, and how its stance affects its relations with other international players.

Impact on Türkiye’s Relations with Israel

Türkiye’s strong support for the Palestinian cause and its recent criticisms of Israel’s actions in Gaza have strained its relations with Israel. The two countries had already seen tensions in the past decade, with the “Mavi Marmara” incident being a significant low point. The current conflict has led to a war of words between the two nations’ leaders and could lead to a further cooling of bilateral relations. However, there is also a recognition in both countries of the strategic importance of Turkish-Israeli relations, leading to a complex relationship that could see shifts depending on the regional dynamics and domestic political considerations.

Repercussions for Türkiye’s Standing in the Middle East

Türkiye’s vocal support for Palestine and its criticisms of Israel bolster its image in the eyes of many in the Middle East as a supporter of Muslim causes. However, the Middle East is a region with complex, often conflicting alliances. Türkiye’s stance might improve its relations with some countries or factions while straining relations with others. For instance, while its stance might be welcomed by pro-Palestinian factions and some publics, it could complicate its relations with countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which have seen a warming of relations with Israel.

Influence on Türkiye’s International Relations

Türkiye’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict also has implications for its relations with major world powers. Its criticisms of Israel put it at odds with the U.S., which is a key ally of Israel. However, Türkiye is also a NATO member and a key strategic partner for the U.S., leading to a multi-faceted relationship. Türkiye’s relations with the EU and individual European countries are also affected, as these entities are often concerned with stability in the Middle East and have varying stances on the Israel-Palestine issue.

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In conclusion, the geopolitical implications of Türkiye’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict are far-reaching, affecting its bilateral relations, its standing in the Middle East, and its international relations. These implications are dynamic and can shift based on the evolving situation in the Middle East and the broader international context.

Conclusion

The recent escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict has once again brought the longstanding geopolitical tensions of the Middle East to the forefront. Türkiye, with its historical, cultural, and political ties to the region, has emerged as a vocal critic of Israel’s actions and a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause. This stance, while rooted in Türkiye’s historical support for Palestine, also reflects its broader geopolitical ambitions and the complex dynamics of its domestic politics.

Summary of Key Findings

• Türkiye’s support for the Palestinian cause is both a matter of national identity, influenced by its Ottoman past, and a strategic position within its foreign policy, particularly under President Erdogan’s leadership.

• The nation’s response to the current conflict, characterized by strong rhetoric and diplomatic activism, underscores its desire to assert itself as a key player in the Middle East and a leader in the Muslim world.

• This approach, however, comes with its set of challenges, potentially straining relations with key allies, including the U.S. and European nations, and further complicating its already complex relationship with Israel.

  Implications for Future Türkiye-Israel-Palestine Relations

  The current state of affairs suggests a continuation of strained Türkiye-Israel relations, at least in the short to medium term. However, the dynamic nature of geopolitical interests and the history of pragmatic cooperation between Türkiye and Israel indicate the potential for a recalibration of relations, contingent on regional developments and the domestic political landscape in both countries. For Palestine, Türkiye is likely to remain a critical ally, providing diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian support.

  Recommendations for Policy and Diplomacy

  For a path forward, Türkiye will need to balance its support for the Palestinian cause with the pragmatic necessities of international diplomacy. This involves:

• Continuing to provide humanitarian aid and diplomatic support for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

• Engaging in multilateral diplomacy, potentially leveraging its relationships with both Western powers and regional actors to facilitate dialogue.