Turkey Blocks Israel-NATO Military Drills Until Gaza Ceasefire Established

Turkey will prohibit any new military cooperation with Israel, including NATO drills, until a permanent ceasefire in Gaza is achieved. The Turkish government has blocked Israel from participating in upcoming NATO exercises, citing humanitarian concerns as the primary reason. Relations have sharply declined following recent conflicts, leading to intensified criticism and sanctions against Israel.

Turkey has announced it will block any new military cooperation between Israel and NATO, including drills, until a permanent ceasefire is established in Gaza. Sources from Turkey informed Middle East Eye that they have prevented Israel’s participation in an upcoming NATO exercise related to resilience and emergency preparedness scheduled for September in Bulgaria. Two Israeli officials corroborated this development.

This decision may be linked to remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the protection of Druze and Kurdish communities in Syria, which reportedly infuriated Ankara due to concerns over Israel’s intentions toward Syria’s territorial integrity. However, a Turkish official stated that this blockade has been in effect for over a year and is not specifically tied to Syria’s situation.

The Turkish source clarified, “Until a permanent ceasefire is achieved in Gaza and the obstacles to humanitarian aid are removed, we do not allow new or additional decisions to be made or new activities to be organised in NATO regarding Israel.” Additionally, Turkey has exercised its veto power at NATO to block Israel’s bid for observer status, though this blockage was temporarily lifted during reconciliation efforts earlier this year.

Relations between Turkey and Israel have deteriorated significantly since a meeting in September 2023 following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, which has resulted in substantial Palestinian casualties. Turkey’s strong criticism of the Israeli government has been accompanied by legal actions and trade sanctions, particularly after Erdogan’s party lost local elections, prompting public pressure regarding perceived ineffective responses to the Gaza situation.

Furthermore, Ankara has joined a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing the country of genocidal actions in Gaza. The unfolding events continue to shape the geopolitical landscape and diplomatic relations within the region.

In summary, Turkey’s decision to block Israel’s participation in NATO military drills until a permanent ceasefire in Gaza is indicative of the escalating tensions between the two nations. This development reflects Turkey’s commitment to addressing humanitarian concerns in Gaza and its broader geopolitical stance. Moreover, the ongoing criticism and measures taken by Ankara signify a firm response to Israel’s military actions, with implications for future diplomatic relations and cooperation between Turkey and NATO member states.

Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net