Erdogan: From alienated mediator to igniter?
Barbarism, war criminals, ethnic cleansing - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his communications office are not afraid of verbal attacks against Israel these days.
After the attack on Israel that left more than 1,400 dead, Erdogan called the Islamist Hamas "not a terrorist organization", but "a liberation organization". From Ankara's point of view, the bogeyman in the war in the Middle East is clear. The Turkish head of state is concerned with much more than expressing sympathy for the approximately 9500 Palestinian victims in the Gaza Strip.
Rapprochement seems to be history
As part of a normalization process, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was actually scheduled to visit Turkey at the beginning of November. However, as a result of the Gaza war, Erdogan has now broken off contact with Netanyahu. "Netanyahu is no longer any kind of interlocutor for us. We have deleted him, we have crossed him out," Erdogan said according to a statement from his press office. However, Ankara does not intend to break off diplomatic relations with Israel.
In the past, Erdogan had already described Israel as a "terrorist state" due to its Palestinian policy and repeatedly presented himself as a champion of the Palestinian cause. The criticism of Israel from the mouth of the head of state of a NATO member marks a turning point: it comes after years of painstaking rapprochement between Israel and Turkey. Ambassadors were exchanged only about a year ago.
In response to Erdogan's recent declaration that Hamas is not a terrorist organization but a liberation organization, Israel promptly withdrew its diplomats. The rapprochement, from which Turkey also hoped to benefit economically, seems to be history for the time being.
Erdogan would have liked to be a sought-after mediator, as he was in the Ukraine war. Ankara would have the necessary channels to Hamas. Its leader, Ismail Haniya, was a guest in Turkey as recently as July of this year. The Islamists are also said to have offices in Ankara.
Erdogan needs the international stage
But the attempt appears to have failed. Egypt and Qatar are currently acting as mediators. "If Hamas wants to fight Israel, it turns to Iran. If they want peace, they turn to Egypt. If it needs financial resources, it turns to Qatar," says expert Salim Cevik. Turkey is of little importance. Erdogan's sharp tones could also be an expression of frustration at this exclusion. "He is therefore seeking a different position by presenting himself as the protector of Sunni Muslims," says Cevik.
Erdogan needs the international stage. His success with voters has always been built on his image as an internationally powerful and sought-after politician.
What's more, the Turkish head of state also serves a pro-Palestinian tendency in the population with his criticism. Erdogan is afraid of losing part of his base to other conservative parties, all of which have the harshest tones against Israel, says Cevik.
The leader of the ultra-nationalist MHP, for example, is openly calling for Turkish soldiers to be sent to Gaza. The Islamist partner, the Hüda Par party, is calling for the closure of the Incirlik airbase in southern Turkey, which is used by the US Air Force, for example. Erdogan has only had a slim majority since this year's elections. This must be preserved against the backdrop of the upcoming regional elections in March 2024.
Erdogan's statements stand out. Most of the Gulf states, for example, have adopted a more diplomatic tone. However, it is more than unlikely that the Turkish president wants the conflict to escalate further. He has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and peace negotiations.
So far, the West seems to have largely ignored the head of state of the NATO country. Erdogan is scheduled to visit Germany in mid-November.
- Despite Turkey and Israel's past efforts to reconcile, Erdogan's labeling of Hamas as a "liberation organization" rather than a terrorist group has led Israel to withdraw its diplomats, potentially indicating a temporary halt to the rapprochement between the two nations.
- With Israel's key supporters, such as the United States, adopting a more diplomatic stance on the ongoing conflict, Erdogan's fiery rhetoric against Israel and his support for Hamas could serve as a means to solidify his pro-Palestinian base in Turkey, a group he wishes to maintain his political support from, especially ahead of the regional elections in March 2024.
- As Turkey seeks to regain its international standing, with Erdogan's political success often tied to his global profile, his professed stance as a protector of Sunni Muslims in the face of Middle Eastern conflicts exposes his growing interest in playing an active role in resolving Palestinian-Israeli conflicts and challenging regional peers, such as Egypt and Qatar, in mediating the disputes.
Source: www.dpa.com
