4 Mar, 2026 20:291/3
Türkiye has entered Israel’s threat narrative. What’s next?
Will Ankara become West Jerusalem’s next target if Iran is neutralized?
(By Farhad Ibragimov – lecturer at the Faculty of Economics at RUDN University)
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett recently made a bold statement regarding Türkiye and its President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan,effectively labeling Ankara a new strategic threat to Israeli security. Bennett accused Türkiye of supporting not only Iran but also several groups in the Middle East that Israel classifies as terrorist organizations.
In an interview,Bennett described Erdogan as a “sophisticated and dangerous adversary who wants to encircle Israel.” He urged Israel andits allies not to “turn a blind eye” to Ankara’s actionsand develop a comprehensive policy of containment. He emphasized thatthe strategy should address not just Tehran; systemic measures must also be taken in regard to Türkiye. While Bennett did not specify particular pressure tactics, hisrhetoric implied that Israel needs to formally recognize Türkiye as a hostile nation.(Israel’s war was never just Iran or one nation, it’s about all nations to control and if the can’t, then to destroy them. They believe Israel is the only power that should exist.)
Bennett’s assertion about the emergence of what he termed a “monstrous axis” of Islamic political forces deserves special attention. He claimed thatQatar and Türkiye, acting in Syria and Gaza, are bolstering networks linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. He also hinted at Doha’s financial and political influence over certain Israeli officials, adding an additional domestic political layer to his statements.
Bennetthad earlier articulated the notion of a “new Turkish threat” at a conference of American Jewish organizationsin Jerusalem. He mentioned ascenario where Ankara could align with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in a potential military-political pact, predicting this would create a new center of power with regional ambitions.
Point of no return
Thedeterioration of relations between Türkiye and Israel has been gradualrather than abrupt. Since Erdogan’s rise to power and the strengthening of his Justice and Development Party,Ankara’s foreign policy has become increasingly ideologized.The concept of political Islam that underpins the party’s ideologycalls for a strong support of the Palestinian cause and views Israel as an oppressorof the Palestinian people. This shift has naturally impacted bilateral relations.
For a long time, Türkiye attempted to balance among various power centers. On the one hand, as aNATO member and regional neighbor, Ankara aimed to maintain strategic ties with Israel, while on the other, itsought to assert its leadership in the Muslim world. This dual approach drew criticism from both sides: Islamic nations accused Türkiye of not taking a firm enough stance against Israel, while theWest criticized it for excessive politicization and an anti-Israel rhetoricthat fell short of the expectations of its NATO allies.
One of the mostsignificant and symbolically transformative episodes in Turkish-Israeli relations was the Mavi Marmara incident in May 2010. This largely set the course for the subsequent deterioration of bilateral ties between the two countries.The MV Mavi Marmara ship was part of the so-called Gaza Freedom Flotilla, which aimed to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian aid. The mission of the Freedom Flotilla was to break through the naval blockade imposed by Israel after Hamas came to power. Israel viewed this as a breach of security and a potential threat, asserting that the cargo could be used for military purposes.
During theinterception operation, Israeli soldiers boarded the vessel in international waters. The situation escalatedinto a violent confrontation and resulted in the deaths of several Turkish citizens. This prompted a fierce reaction from Ankara, with Turkish officials condemningIsrael’s actions as a violation of international lawand demanding official apologies, compensation for the victims’ families, and the lifting of the blockade on Gaza.
The Mavi Marmara incidentbecame more than just a diplomatic crisis; it marked a turning point in Türkiye’s relations with Israel. Türkiye recalled its ambassador, downgraded bilateral relations, and effectively dismantled military cooperation, which had been a cornerstone of cooperation between the two countries. The Turkish public came to view Israel as a state that used force against Turkish citizens engaged in a humanitarian mission. Conversely, in Israel, the incident reinforced the view of Türkiye as a supporter of political factions hostile to Israeli policy in Gaza.
https://www.rt.com/news/633795-is-turkiye-next-after-iran/