While Turkey and Armenia seem to be mending their relationship, a growing rift is still developing between Turkey and Israel, largely over disagreements on the Gaza War earlier this year.
The Turkish government ousted Israel from participating in an international joint military exercise scheduled to include the air forces of Turkey, Israel, the United States, and Italy. Following the dismissal of Israel from the drill, both the United States and Italy opted-out of the exercise.
The Turkish government’s official statement on the removal of Israel from the drill did not mention the Gaza offensive, however one official clearly indicated a correlation between the exercise and the Gaza War.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Sunday in an interview with CNN:
“We hope that the situation in Gaza will be improved, that the situation will be back to the diplomatic track. And that will create a new atmosphere in Turkish-Israeli relations as well. But in the existing situation, of course, we are criticizing this approach, [the] Israeli approach.”
The rift between Israel and Turkey grew earlier this year over disagreements on the use of force during the Gaza offensive. High-ranking Turkish officials condemned the attacks, eliciting anti-Turkish statements from a high-ranking IDF official. The recent drill incident reflects the duality of the Islamization of Turkey, torn between attempting to join the European Union and establishing closer ties with the Muslim world.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak played down the drill’s cancellation at a cabinet meeting, stating:
“In spite of the ups and downs, Turkey continues to be a central figure in our region. There is no place for getting drawn into fiery statements against them…
“The relations between Israel and Turkey are strategic and have existed for dozens of years.”
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon echoed Barak and said:
“Turkey is very important, and our relationship is very strategic. Turkey is very important for the stability and promotion of peace in the Middle East…
“Here is a Muslim country that is both a democracy and tolerant, living in good relations with Israel because it is in the interest of both countries to do so.”
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