Recovering Turkey's Diplomatic Relations - Israel

Israeli President Isaac Herzog (left) met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey in 2022. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - Turkey's relationship (now: Turkey) with Israel is full of dynamics. Turkey was once the first Muslim-majority country to support Israeli independence. Even though the action received criticism from many parties.

The relationship was running smoothly and favorably. Problems arise. Turkey felt Israel was overcoming the occupation of the Palestinian territories. Criticism also rained down on Israel. However, Turkey-Israel chose to restore (normalization) relations.

The declaration of the establishment of the Israeli state shocked the world. The presence of UN resolution in ending Britain's occupation was behind it. The Palestinian territories were divided into two in 1947. first, for Arabia. Second, for Jews.

The narrative is considered the way for Israel to become the country of 1948. The decision was opposed by many. Israel is considered to have taken the territory that should have been owned by the Palestinian people. Israel is considered to be transformed like an occupation.

Many countries take a stand, especially Middle Eastern countries and Muslim-majority countries. The deal will not recognize Israel as a state taken. The decision is considered correct. This is because many people have been hurt when they see the Palestinian people having to leave their own territory because of Israel.

The decision of the Muslim-majority country is clear. They reject the presence of Israel. However, not all Islamic-majority countries perpetuate hatred for Israel. Turkey, for example. The country with a Muslim-majority population decided to support Israel's independence in 1949.

The support was given because Turkey wanted to travel to the US. To achieve this, Turkey must conquer the hearts of its US gold boy, Israel. The diplomatic relationship that was perpetuated had been running smoothly for a long time. However, the honeymoon was finally over.

Relations between the two countries often experienced a tidal phase. Moreover, in the 2000s. Israel was deemed too excessive in expelling Palestinians from its ground. Even that condition was exacerbated by a blind attack on Turkish ship Mavi Marmara in 2010. In fact, the ship brought humanitarian aid to Gaza. The relationship between Turkey and Israel loosened.

The strangeness arose due to the character of a strong historical and strategic relationship between the two sides as many observers have known since Turkey Attaturk (Turkey leader) acknowledged the founding of the country of Israel in 1949 at pressure from international powers, especially the United States.

The relationship is said to be strange because it is decorated with various differences in foreign interests and politics in line with various changes in world geopolitical and geostrategy that often occur. This condition affects the relationship between various countries and nations. Coupled with a special relationship about the Muslim ideological building of the Turkish nation and its conflict with secularism as the basis of state political policy," said Syarif Taghian in the book Erdogan (2021).

The slack relations between Turkey and Israel continue. In fact, the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, often sided with the colonized Palestinians. Turkey also often pairs up with all kinds of Israeli actions that harm Palestine. Although many Turkish-Israeli cooperative relations continue.

Turkey also acted as a Palestinian savior when many Middle Eastern countries began to try to normalize relations with Israel. These countries are considered betrayed. Alias, the country does not see how the struggle of the Muslim-majority country defends Palestine.

Turkey's tough stance on Israel continues. Take for example in 2018, for example. Erdogan called Israel the apartheid regime. Turkey has repatriated its ambassador from Tel Aviv because Israel attacked Palestine. Israel's ambassador in Ankara was expelled.

Everything changed when it entered 2022. Turkey seemed to change a lot. Turkey is no longer secretly establishing cooperation, they are starting to openly want to normalize relations with Israel. This attitude is considered an oddity by many parties.

The narrative is different from Turkey's attitude, which is often described as always protesting against the Israeli attack on Palistina. However, Erdogan dodged. Normalization of support for Israel is a form of saving Palestine. Therefore, the diplomatic relationship was restored in August 2022.

The steps taken in our relations with Israel will not at all reduce our support for the Palestinian cause. Turkey, which has recognized the Palestinian state since it was proclaimed, defends the vision of a two-state solution on each platform.

Palestine always has a special place in the hearts of the Turkish people. I once again underline that the formation of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital city is based on the 1967 border and UN parameters are essential for the peace and stability of our entire region," Erdogan explained as quoted by Antara, August 24, 2022.