Turkey has officially stated it will prevent any new military cooperation between Israel and NATO until a permanent ceasefire is established in Gaza. This includes blocking Israeli participation in upcoming military drills, amidst declining relations between the two countries and Ankara’s intensified criticisms of Israel’s military actions. Turkey’s actions reflect broader geopolitical tensions in the region, with domestic political pressures influencing foreign policy.
Turkey has announced its intent to block any cooperation with Israel, specifically military drills with NATO, until a permanent ceasefire is established in Gaza. This decision follows Turkey’s denial of Israel’s participation in NATO’s upcoming exercise in Bulgaria focused on resilience and emergency preparedness, as reported by various sources.
Israeli officials indicated that Ankara’s decision is not an isolated incident, suggesting a broader context related to regional tensions. A Turkish source rebuffed claims linking the blockade to Israel’s military actions in Syria, emphasizing that Turkey has maintained this stance for over a year.
The official clearly stated, “Until a permanent ceasefire is achieved in Gaza and the obstacles to humanitarian aid are removed, we do not allow new or additional decisions to be made or new activities to be organised in NATO regarding Israel.” This highlights Turkey’s position regarding Israel’s role within NATO amidst rising tensions.
Relations between Turkey and Israel have significantly worsened following a September meeting between President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Netanyahu, which had aimed at improving bilateral ties. The recent escalation of violence in Gaza, resulting in numerous casualties, has prompted Turkey to intensify its criticisms of Israel’s actions, leading to trade sanctions and legal measures against Israel.
Ongoing criticism from the Turkish opposition has also targeted Erdogan for his administration’s perceived inadequate response to the Gaza situation, driving a pressure campaign against Turkish-Israeli trade relations. Additionally, Turkey has formally accused Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice, deepening the rift between the two countries.
In summary, Turkey’s decision to block military cooperation with Israel until a ceasefire in Gaza is reached underscores the sharp decline in Turkish-Israeli relations. The Turkish government has vowed to maintain its stance to protect humanitarian interests, reflecting a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions. Continued scrutiny of Turkey’s trade relations with Israel suggests that domestic political pressures are influencing foreign policy decisions significantly.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
