Turkey Blocks Israel-NATO Military Drills Until Gaza Ceasefire is Achieved
Turkey has blocked Israel from participating in NATO military exercises until a ceasefire in Gaza is reached. This represents a continuation of a year-long policy against Israeli-NATO engagements, amidst rising tensions over Israel’s actions in Gaza and statements by Israeli leadership. Turkey’s criticism of Israel has intensified, reflecting deteriorating relations following recent conflicts.
Turkey is currently blocking all new military cooperation between Israel and NATO, including upcoming drills, until a permanent ceasefire is established in Gaza. This information was revealed by Turkish official sources to Middle East Eye on Monday. An Israeli publication reported that Turkey has prevented Israel from participating in NATO’s annual exercise focused on resilience and emergency preparedness, scheduled for September in Bulgaria.
According to two Israeli sources, the Turkish blockade on Israel’s involvement in the drill is confirmed. One source suggested this decision might be linked to remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the protection of Druze and Kurdish communities in Syria, stirring discontent in Ankara, which feels that Israel seeks to partition Syria. However, a Turkish official clarified that the blockade is unrelated to Syria, emphasizing that Turkey has been restricting Israel’s NATO engagements for over a year.
The Turkish official 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 organized in NATO regarding Israel.” Ankara retains veto power in NATO, which requires unanimous approval for new initiatives.
Turkey had previously obstructed Israel’s efforts to gain observer status at NATO, a position that was relaxed earlier this year during reconciliation talks. Relations between Turkey and Israel have sharply deteriorated since a September 2023 meeting intended to foster reconciliation. Following a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the ensuing conflict that has resulted in heavy Palestinian casualties, Ankara has intensified its criticism towards the Israeli government.
This escalated criticism has led to actions such as legal challenges and trade sanctions against Israel, exacerbated by Erdogan’s party losing local elections partly due to perceptions of inadequate responses to the Gaza war. The ongoing Turkish trade with Israel, facilitated through third parties, has prompted public backlash from opposition groups accusing Erdogan of neglecting to address these issues adequately. Currently, Turkey is also part of a lawsuit against Israel in the International Court of Justice, alleging genocide in Gaza.
Turkey’s blockade of Israeli participation in NATO military drills underscores the geopolitical tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, particularly given the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Turkish officials maintain that any cooperation hinges on the establishment of a permanent ceasefire and the cessation of humanitarian aid blockades. This ongoing rift is indicative of the broader implications for NATO and regional diplomacy.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
