Rising Tensions Between Israel and Türkiye: From Strategic Partnership to Manufactured Rivalry |
Rising Tensions Between Israel and Türkiye: From Strategic Partnership to Manufactured Rivalry
The ongoing conflict in Gaza is reshaping the moral and geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. Israel’s rhetoric toward Türkiye now signals more than a diplomatic rupture; it reveals a pattern of strategic antagonism in which war has become the primary mode of diplomacy.
From Uneasy Partnership to Open Antagonism
In May 2024, Türkiye halted all trade with Israel, stating that the decision would remain in effect until a permanent ceasefire and humanitarian access in Gaza were achieved. In response, Israel abolished its free trade agreement with Türkiye and imposed a 100% tariff on Turkish imports. Trade, which previously served as a diplomatic buffer, has now become a tool of confrontation.
Additionally, Turkish prosecutors have indicted 35 senior Israeli officials in connection with the interception of the humanitarian Sumud flotilla.
According to Ankara, Israel is “burning all bridges” in the region. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has publicly stated that Israel “cannot live without an enemy” and may be attempting to position Türkiye as its next adversary after Iran. Thus, the diplomatic dispute has evolved into a narrative contest over perceived threats.
Türkiye as the “New Iran”: The Politics of Enemy-Making
The current Israeli posture is characterized not only by hostility toward Ankara but also by a tendency to frame every regional disagreement as an existential conflict. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett described Türkiye as “the new Iran” in remarks widely reported in February and March 2026. This indicates that Israeli right-wing leaders are treating Türkiye not as a conventional neighbor with compartmentalized disputes, but as a strategic challenge to be........