## The potential of the Abraham Accords won’t be realized without Turkey
In the days following the gaza cease-fire reached on October 13 in Sharm el-Sheikh, the Middle East saw a rare possibility to reshape the region. The fighting had subsided, but regional arrangements remained fragile. For the West adn its allies, the central challenge is getting Israel and Hamas to abide by the cease-fire and US President Donald Trump’s governance’s twenty Point Plan as a foundation for establishing long-term stability.
in this context, bringing Turkey into the economic and diplomatic process can be seen as a natural extension of the Abraham Accords, which created a framework for regional cooperation. The more the Sharm el-Sheikh summit seeks to broaden participation, the more likely it is indeed to succeed.“`html
Re-Engaging Turkey: A Key to Regional Stability
Table of Contents
For decades,the relationship between Israel and Turkey has been marked by periods of close cooperation and sharp disagreement. Despite recent tensions, a pragmatic partnership remains vital for regional stability. With a trade volume exceeding seven billion dollars in 2023, Turkey is consistently among Israel’s top five trading partners. now, a new diplomatic window presents an opportunity to rebuild the relationship, focusing on shared interests and regional integration.
The Complex History of Israel-Turkey Relations
The foundation of the Israel-Turkey relationship was laid in the 1950s,driven by shared strategic concerns and economic opportunities. Cooperation flourished in areas like military training, intelligence sharing, and water management.However, the relationship began to fray in the late 1990s due to differing perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Turkey’s growing emphasis on its Islamic identity.
The 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, where Israeli commandos intercepted a Turkish-lead flotilla attempting to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza, proved a major turning point. This event led to a important deterioration in diplomatic relations, with ambassadors recalled from both countries. While a reconciliation agreement was reached in 2016, underlying tensions persisted, exacerbated by differing views on regional conflicts and Turkey’s increasingly assertive foreign policy.
recent Strains and the Current landscape
In recent years, the relationship has been further strained by Turkey’s criticism of Israeli policies towards Palestinians and its support for Hamas.The October 7th attacks and Israel’s subsequent military response in Gaza have led to heightened rhetoric from Ankara. Despite these disagreements, economic ties have remained relatively robust, highlighting the underlying pragmatic interests at play.
Why Re-Engagement is Crucial
Despite the challenges, re-engaging Turkey is essential for several reasons:
- Regional Stability: Turkey is a major regional power with significant influence over a wide range of issues, from the Syrian conflict to energy security. Its cooperation is vital for addressing these challenges effectively.
- Economic Benefits: the strong trade relationship between Israel and Turkey benefits both economies. Expanding economic cooperation can create new opportunities and foster mutual understanding.
- Counterterrorism: Both Israel and Turkey face threats from extremist groups. Enhanced intelligence sharing and security cooperation can definitely help counter these threats.
- Geopolitical Alignment: A stronger Israel-Turkey relationship can serve as a counterbalance to the influence of other regional actors and promote a more stable and balanced regional order.
Integrating Turkey into Regional Initiatives
To move beyond periodic crises and build a more lasting relationship, Israel should actively seek to incorporate Turkey into key regional initiatives. This includes:
- The abraham Accords: Exploring opportunities for Turkey to participate in the Abraham Accords framework, potentially through economic cooperation or joint projects.
- Energy Cooperation: collaborating on energy projects, such as the East Mediterranean Gas Forum, to promote regional energy security and economic integration.
- Infrastructure Projects: Including turkey in future iterations of the India-Middle East-europe Corridor (IMEC) project, or finding ways to align it with Turkey’s “Growth Road” initiative.
Failure to involve turkey risks creating competing integration schemes. Ankara’s recent partnership with Iraq, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates on the “Development Road” project, announced in response to its exclusion from the IMEC project, demonstrates the potential for alternative alignments. Further marginalization could deepen Turkey’s coordination with Moscow, Tehran, and other actors less aligned with Western interests.
Looking Ahead
Rebuilding trust and fostering a pragmatic relationship with Turkey will require sustained diplomatic effort and a willingness to address legitimate concerns on both sides. While disagreements will inevitably persist, focusing on shared interests and regional cooperation can create a more stable and prosperous future for both countries and the wider region. A proactive approach to engagement,prioritizing economic cooperation and strategic dialogue,is essential to unlock the full potential of this vital partnership.
Key Takeaways
- The Israel-Turkey relationship has historically fluctuated between cooperation and conflict
Related reading