Turkey Blocks Israel’s NATO Participation Until Gaza Ceasefire Achieved
Turkey has blocked Israel from participating in NATO military drills until a permanent ceasefire is established in Gaza. The action is a response to Israel’s policies and military presence in Syria. This decision also reflects the deteriorating relations between Israel and Turkey following the outbreak of violence in Gaza.
Turkey has announced it will obstruct any new military cooperation between Israel and NATO until a permanent ceasefire is established in Gaza. Sources from Turkey revealed to Middle East Eye that Israel’s participation in NATO’s upcoming resilience and emergency preparedness exercise in Bulgaria has been blocked.
Israeli sources corroborated that Turkey has successfully prevented their involvement in this significant drill scheduled for September. Speculation surrounds this decision with regards to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s supportive comments about certain communities in Syria, which reportedly angered Ankara due to fears of Israeli partitioning.
A Turkish official clarified that the blocking is not directly connected to statements about Syria. “We have been blocking Israel’s new engagements with NATO for over a year,” the official stated, underlining Turkey’s veto power within NATO, which relies on unanimous agreement for actions.
The Turkish official emphasized, “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.”
Turkey has previously restricted Israel’s observer status at NATO, but this was reassessed during a reconciliation attempt earlier in 2023. However, relations have since deteriorated, particularly after the recent Hamas attack on October 7, which led to significant Palestinian casualties and further criticism directed at the Netanyahu administration.
This contentious environment has prompted Turkey to intensify its actions against Israel, including legal measures and trade sanctions. Following local elections that saw President Erdogan’s party losing support due to its response to the Gaza conflict, there has been increased pressure on Erdogan regarding Turkish trade with Israel.
Moreover, Ankara has joined a case at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, indicating a deepening conflict between the two nations.
In summary, Turkey’s decision to block Israel’s military participation in NATO exercises stems from its demand for a permanent Gaza ceasefire and its overarching discontent with Israel’s actions. The relationship has significantly worsened post the recent Gaza conflict, leading to various sanctions and legal actions against Israel. Turkey’s strategic importance within NATO and its role in regional politics underscores the broader implications of this blockade.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
