By John Q. Hosedrinker Turkey has cut off all economic ties with Israel and closed its airspace to Israeli flights. This drastic measure will significantly impact air travel, potentially adding nearly two hours to flights from Israel to destinations such as Georgia and Azerbaijan. The move follows escalating tensions between the two nations. The Turkish Foreign Minister has not commented on these actions.
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Turkey completely severs economic ties, closes airspace to Israel, and it’s a move that’s already sparking a lot of discussion. One of the most immediate observations is that this isn’t the first time Turkey has taken this step, and it’s worth considering the context. This kind of move can be a political tool, particularly when domestic approval ratings are shaky. It’s easy to see how portraying a strong stance on the Palestinian issue might resonate with a large segment of the Turkish population.
Economically, the impact might be less dramatic than it seems on the surface. While Turkey exported around $5 billion worth of goods to Israel, and Israel exported about $1.73 billion to Turkey in 2023, these numbers only represented around 2% of each country’s total exports. This suggests that, practically speaking, both economies have already found ways to adjust to previous disruptions. Turkey, for instance, mainly exported products like cars and cement, goods that Israel could source elsewhere. Israel’s exports, including higher-tech items, are arguably more specialized, but not crucial.
The motivations behind this decision are complex. On one hand, it’s seen by some as a way for President Erdoğan to garner domestic support by appealing to pro-Palestinian sentiment, especially in light of the ongoing situation in Gaza. Some observers even see it as a tactic to deflect attention from domestic economic challenges, like Turkey’s persistent inflation. Then, there are the accusations leveled at Erdoğan; including, but not limited to, his alleged ties to groups such as Hamas.
However, the situation on the ground is complex, and this simplification falls flat. Many people in the Turkey and the region have deep-seated resentments toward Israel and support for Palestine. Also, the Kurdish question is relevant. The suppression of Kurdish identity, language, and political participation in Turkey has been a major issue for decades. The resulting discrimination and displacement have fueled resentment toward the Turkish government and influenced the broader political landscape.
Some sources suggest that the move might be driven by a desire to appear supportive of Palestinians, or by Turkey’s own internal political and economic problems, or a combination of the two. Some might see it as a power move intended to make a statement on the global stage. There are also arguments that the current situation is a reflection of deep-seated anti-Israel sentiment within Turkey, making it difficult for any leader to maintain friendly relations.
The impact of this severing of ties could potentially create both positive and negative outcomes. On the positive side, the Turkish government might hope that the move will boost its image among its supporters and other like-minded groups. On the negative side, the reduced trade could hurt both economies. However, this may be a calculated risk, given the potential gains in public support.
Looking at the economic realities, it’s worth noting that this isn’t necessarily a catastrophic event for either country. The export-import relationship between Turkey and Israel has already been adjusted. However, it does have geopolitical ramifications. Some commentators compare the situation to the actions of other leaders, such as those of France. They’re not wrong.
Of course, the accusations are always made, with claims that Erdoğan is an Islamist, or even an Islamic extremist and that he supports terrorism. These claims are hard to prove. And, the situation is often not black and white, there are many gray areas.
Ultimately, this move is a reflection of a confluence of factors. The Turkish leader is facing complex political and economic challenges at home. There are deep-seated sentiments in the region. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine is the flashpoint. It’s a calculated gamble in a high-stakes game, and the consequences will be felt for a long time to come.