Turkey's Staunch Support for Hamas in Gaza

 

Turkey's Staunch Support for Hamas in Gaza: Understanding the Motivations

Turkey's unwavering support for Hamas in Gaza has been a topic of interest in recent times. The country's President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been vocal in his criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, drawing comparisons with Nazi Germany and labeling Hamas as "freedom fighters." This stance has led to a significant deterioration in Turkish-Israeli relations, with both countries recalling their ambassadors.

So, what drives Turkey's support for Hamas? According to Helin Sari Ertem, an Associate Professor of International Relations at Istanbul Medeniyet University, Palestine has long been a cause for Turkey and the Turkish people, transcending political tendencies. Consequently, Turkish governments cannot view the Palestine-Israeli conflict solely as a foreign policy issue; it is a game-changer in domestic politics.

Turkey's pivot away from Israel and towards the Palestinians can be attributed to the conservative and pro-Islamic grassroots of Erdogan's AKP party. Erdogan's support for the Palestinians is genuine, but it also aims to appease conservative-nationalist political groups, which did not see sufficient reaction from the AKP in the initial days of the war.

Turkey's support for Hamas has come at a cost. The country's relationship with Israel was restored only last year, but the war has led to a rupture, with both countries recalling their ambassadors. However, Giorgio Cafiero, CEO of Gulf State Analytics, believes Erdogan is unlikely to change course, given his domestic supporters and desire to be seen as a strong Muslim leader.

Despite the rupture, Ertem believes it will not be too damaging. Turkey has traditionally maintained a balancing act in its foreign policy approach, continuing economic relations with Israel even when political ties are strained. Turkish-Israeli relations have proven resilient despite historical ups and downs.

In conclusion, Turkey's support for Hamas in Gaza is driven by a combination of domestic politics, ideological affiliations, and a desire to be seen as a strong Muslim leader. While this stance has led to a deterioration in Turkish-Israeli relations, it is unlikely to change, given Erdogan's political calculations and Turkey's traditional foreign policy approach.