Turkey Blocks Israel-NATO Military Drills Until Gaza Ceasefire Reached

Turkey has reiterated its position to block military collaboration with Israel and NATO until a permanent ceasefire in Gaza is achieved. The blockade affects Israel’s participation in NATO exercises and stems from ongoing tensions related to Israel’s actions in Gaza and Syria. The situation illustrates significant deterioration in Turkey-Israel relations following increased hostilities in the region.

Turkey has announced plans to block any new military cooperation, including drills with Israel and NATO, until a permanent ceasefire is established in Gaza. According to Turkish official sources, Israel’s participation in NATO’s upcoming exercise in Bulgaria has been halted. This revelation was reported by Israeli media, and multiple Israeli sources confirmed Turkey’s intervention in the matter.

The speculation surrounding this decision stems from recent comments made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the protection of certain communities in Syria, which have reportedly angered Ankara. However, a Turkish official dismissed this notion, stating that the blockade on Israel’s NATO cooperation has been ongoing for over a year, independent of events in Syria.

The Turkish official emphasized the conditional nature of Turkey’s stance, clearly stating, “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.” Previously, Turkey had also vetoed Israel’s pursuit of observer status within NATO, although this was retracted during a reconciliatory phase in 2023.

Relations between Turkey and Israel have significantly soured following a meeting between President Erdogan and Prime Minister Netanyahu, which was meant to symbolize improved ties. Since the onset of the Hamas-led assault and the resulting fallout, which led to widespread casualties in Gaza, Turkey has ramped up its criticism of Israel.

This deterioration has led to various actions, including legal initiatives and trade sanctions against Israel. Additionally, the Turkish government faces domestic pressure due to perceived inadequacies in its response to the Gaza situation, compounded by recent challenges to Erdogan’s party during local elections. Furthermore, Ankara has taken steps to legally challenge Israel at the International Court of Justice, alleging genocide in Gaza, amplifying its stance against the Israeli operations.

In conclusion, Turkey’s blockade of military cooperation with Israel and NATO remains contingent on the establishment of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The changes in Turkish-Israeli relations reflect broader geopolitical tensions and domestic pressures within Turkey. Ankara’s insistence on these conditions highlights its commitment to humanitarian concerns in the ongoing conflict and signifies a resolute stance against Israeli policies in Gaza.

Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net