Since the outbreak of violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip on Saturday morning (October 7), several Turkish politicians and government ministries have put out statements on the matter.
An English-language press release from Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated October 7 urged deescalation and the pursuit of a two-state solution, saying:
“We are deeply concerned about the violence and tension that occurred in Israel and Palestine today…As Türkiye, we are always ready to contribute to the best of our ability to ensure that these developments can be taken under control before they escalate further and spread to a wider area. In this regard, we continue our intensive contacts with the relevant parties…These sad developments once again show the importance of the two-state solution vision. We call on the parties to renounce the use of force and work for a lasting solution in line with this vision without further delay.”
Later that day, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made statements on the matter at a party gathering in Ankara, saying:
“We will continue to stand against occupation and against all attempts to diminish the religious status of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. In light of the events in Israel today, we call on all parties to show moderation and avoid actions that could lead to escalation.”
Prior to the outbreak of violence, President Erdoğan had been slated to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Ankara within the next month, followed by a planned trip by Erdoğan to Jerusalem where the Turkish president was due to attend prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the city’s center, the third holiest site in Islam.
Turkey’s main opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, chairman of the Republican People’s Party, also made a statement expressing solidarity with the Palestinians:
“Palestine has long been a country seeking their rights. As always I stand with the Palestinian people. We never want war. I call on international organizations to push for peace and for Palestinian rights within a democratic framework.”
A statement by Ahmet Davutoğlu, Turkey’s former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and current leader of the Gelecek Party, released a post on social media that attracted considerable attention for its overt pro-Palestinian sentiments:
“I support the justified resistance of our Palestinian brothers and sisters who have been left lonely by the Muslim World and international community against the constant violation of the sanctity and Islamic identity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the ongoing attacks and the establishment of new settlements in the Israeli-occupied lands, just as yesterday. In this struggle, it is necessary to avoid attitudes and images that will harm the just cause of Palestine. A permanent peace can be possible if Israel respects the holy places, especially the Al-Aqsa Mosque, does not obstruct a sovereign Palestinian state, does not build new settlements in occupied lands, respects the most basic human rights of the Palestinians, —and lifts all embargoes on Gaza.
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In order to prevent even more devastating consequences with Israel’s possible declaration of war, Turkey should immediately call the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for an emergency meeting and put forward a diplomatic action plan to ensure an immediate ceasefire between the relevant parties.”
During his time at the helm of Turkey’s foreign ministry from 2009-2014, Davutoğlu advocated a pivot in Turkish foreign policy entitled ‘strategic depth’ that saw Ankara establish closer ties with its Arab neighbors. Humanitarian aid from Turkey to the Gaza Strip also increased during this time, punctuated by the 2010 flotilla raid in which several Turkish nationals were killed by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver aid and construction materials to the besieged enclave. Turkey-Israel relations deteriorated dramatically following the incident.
Turkey’s ruling government has long been criticised for its alleged close relations and tacit support for Hamas, the Islamist organization that governs the Gaza Strip. The United States, the European Union, Israel, and others classify the group as a terrorist organization. President Erdoğan has held numerous meetings with Hamas officials, the most recent of which occurred this past summer. Turkey has also been accused by Israel of granting passports to Hamas officials in order to ease international travel. These alleged tles between Turkey and the organization have fallen under new scrutiny following the outbreak of violence on Saturday.
Written for Medyascope by Leo Kendirck
