by Sinan Ciddi, Washington Examiner,
Following the recent escalation of violence in Israel, particularly at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey used a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, to remark that “the Islamic world should be united against Israel’s attacks in Palestine” and that “trampling on the Al-Aqsa Mosque is our red line.”
At first glance, this stance by Erdogan is puzzling. After all, since 2022, he has sought to rebuild substantive ties with Israel. In addition to the full restoration of diplomatic ties at the ambassadorial level, Ankara hosted Israeli President Isaac Herzog as a sign that Turkey wanted to improve its relationship with Israel. Turkey’s diplomatic corps has also been busy, particularly in Washington, where Ankara’s ambassador has been touring think tanks and American Jewish organizations. Ankara seeks to make a good impression with the Jewish American lobby, presumably hoping that it will put in a supportive word for Turkey as it seeks to acquire new F-16 fighter jets and other defense-related equipment.
Following the recent escalation of violence in Israel, particularly at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey used a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, to remark that “the Islamic world should be united against Israel’s attacks in Palestine” and that “trampling on the Al-Aqsa Mosque is our red line.”
At first glance, this stance by Erdogan is puzzling. After all, since 2022, he has sought to rebuild substantive ties with Israel. In addition to the full restoration of diplomatic ties at the ambassadorial level, Ankara hosted Israeli President Isaac Herzog as a sign that Turkey wanted to improve its relationship with Israel. Turkey’s diplomatic corps has also been busy, particularly in Washington, where Ankara’s ambassador has been touring think tanks and American Jewish organizations. Ankara seeks to make a good impression with the Jewish American lobby, presumably hoping that it will put in a supportive word for Turkey as it seeks to acquire new F-16 fighter jets and other defense-related equipment.
WHAT WILL ERDOGAN DO IF HE LOSES TURKEY’S ELECTIONS?
Yet, by verbally rebuking Israel, Erdogan suggests he is not serious about rebuilding his relationship with that nation.
On the surface, Erdogan sees a politically weakened Israel. The continuing protests against Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government have tarnished Israel’s reputation abroad even though the mass protests are an expression of Israel’s vibrant democracy. From Erdogan’s perspective, taking a shot at Israel serves his reelection bid. The Israeli government is too focused on shoring up domestic stability to enter into a verbal back-and-forth with Erdogan. For Erdogan, extolling an anti-Israeli narrative plays well with his conservative and religious base. Erdogan needs every vote if he is to win reelection in May, and this rhetorical outburst is just that, an outburst that likely costs him nothing, especially with a largely silent Israeli response.
