Turkey Blocks Israel-NATO Military Cooperation Until Gaza Ceasefire Is Achieved
Turkey has halted military cooperation between Israel and NATO until a permanent ceasefire in Gaza is reached. This decision affects Israel’s participation in upcoming NATO exercises. Turkish officials link this action to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while relations between Turkey and Israel have soured amid rising tensions.
Turkey has decided to block further military cooperation between Israel and NATO until a permanent ceasefire in Gaza is established, according to Turkish official sources reported by Middle East Eye. This decision follows Turkey’s prevention of Israel’s participation in NATO’s upcoming exercise on “resilience and emergency preparedness” scheduled for September in Bulgaria, as disclosed by the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.
Israeli sources confirmed that Ankara’s decision was effective, suggesting that it might stem from recent comments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the protection of Kurdish and Druze communities in Syria. However, a Turkish official clarified that the blockade on collaboration with NATO has been in place for over a year, and it is not directly related to the situation in Syria.
The Turkish source 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 indicates Ankara’s firm stance on the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Turkey has previously impeded Israel from obtaining observer status at NATO, a position it relaxed briefly during a reconciliation phase earlier this year. Relations between Turkey and Israel have soured following a meeting between Presidents Erdogan and Netanyahu last September, which was meant to symbolize rapprochement.
Intensifying criticism of Israel has emerged from Ankara in the wake of the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, and the escalating violence in Gaza that has resulted in significant Palestinian casualties. In light of this conflict, Turkey has pursued legal actions and trade sanctions against Israel, partly in response to domestic political pressures following local elections.
Additionally, Turkey’s continued trade with Israel, albeit through third countries, has spurred public outcry from opposition parties accusing Erdogan of not fully addressing the repercussions of the Gaza conflict. Recently, Turkey joined a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, alleging genocide in Gaza.
In conclusion, Turkey’s decision to block new military collaboration between Israel and NATO is a direct response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis it has created. Turkish officials have emphasized the linkage of this blockade to the necessity of a permanent ceasefire and the removal of obstacles to humanitarian assistance. As tensions rise, the relationship between Turkey and Israel continues to deteriorate, highlighting the complexities of geopolitical dynamics in the region.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
