The exchange of sharp statements between Israel and Turkey is no longer seen as a mere passing political squabble. It can be considered a reflection of growing concern about regional shifts that could redraw the balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean, at a time when Cairo and Ankara are drawing closer.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently issued strongly worded threats against Israel, linking Israeli attacks in Syria and Lebanon to Turkey‘s security. He warned against any infringement on Turkish interests in the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus, hinting that Ankara would not stand idly by, if it felt its position was threatened. The Turkish president also said that his country must demonstrate strength to deter Israel and curb its actions in the Gaza Strip.
This comes in addition to aggressive statements by Turkish officials (such as the Turkish Interior minister’s talk of “liberating Jerusalem”), which were met with firm Israeli responses confirming that the era of “empires” is over, and Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli threatened recently that Israel would launch a war on Syria sooner or later.
In Turkey, there is deep resentment toward Israel’s activities in the Middle East and its military dominance, which Israeli assessments have summarized in two words: concern and envy.
