Turkey is blocking Israel’s participation in NATO military drills until a ceasefire in Gaza is declared. This decision intensifies the already strained Turkish-Israeli relations, driven by recent Israeli military actions and statements by Netanyahu. Turkey has taken steps to limit Israel’s NATO engagement, citing humanitarian concerns, while also engaging in legal actions against Israel.
Turkey has declared it will obstruct any new military cooperation, including drills involving Israel and NATO, until a permanent ceasefire is established in Gaza, according to Turkish official sources reported by Middle East Eye. Recently, Turkey prevented Israel from participating in NATO’s upcoming exercise focused on “resilience and emergency preparedness” set to take place in Bulgaria this September.
Israeli reports confirmed that Ankara’s blockade of their participation stemmed from recent comments made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the protection of Syrian communities. These remarks, alongside Israel’s military operations in Syria, have reportedly exacerbated tensions between Ankara and Jerusalem, as Turkey perceives Netanyahu’s actions as an attempt to fragment Syria.
Turkish officials have insisted that Turkey’s position is not linked to Syria, emphasizing that restrictions on Israeli engagement with NATO have been in place for over a year. “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,” a Turkish official stated.
Moreover, Ankara had previously blocked Israel from obtaining observer status at NATO, a position it only reversed during a brief reconciliation period in 2023. However, relations have sharply deteriorated since a reconciliation meeting between Turkish President Erdogan and Netanyahu in September 2023, particularly following the October 7 Hamas-led attack and the ensuing Israeli military actions that have resulted in significant Palestinian casualties.
In response to the violence in Gaza, Turkey has intensified its condemnation of Israel and enacted various measures, including legal actions and trade sanctions. This escalation of rhetoric coincided with local elections in Turkey, where Erdogan’s ruling party faced criticism for its inadequate response to the situation in Gaza, leading to public pressure regarding continued Turkish trade relations with Israel.
Furthermore, Turkey has joined a legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, alleging acts of genocide in Gaza, thus reinforcing its stance against Israeli military operations in the region.
In summary, Turkey is firmly asserting its influence within NATO by blocking Israel’s participation in military exercises until a lasting ceasefire is achieved in Gaza. The tensions between Turkey and Israel have escalated significantly, especially following the recent conflict and Netanyahu’s controversial statements. This ongoing conflict has led Turkey to take definitive actions, including legal sanctions and public pressures, aimed at addressing its grievances against Israel’s military presence and actions in Gaza.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
