Türkiye has hardened its position against the occupying state and its aggression against the Gaza Strip. The Turkish government decided to stop all commercial activities – import and export – with Israel. It took also another decision to join the genocide lawsuit filed by South Africa before the International Court of Justice against it. These two decisions brought the Turkish position on Israel into a new, different phase, and left the door ajar for more steps in the future.
The Turkish Minister of Trade (Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat) had previously indicated that the balance of trade with Israel tilted in favour of his country by a ratio of six to one. It means that completely stopping trade with it could cause harm to the Turkish economy. Taking a moral, humanitarian and political stance seems more important than its direct material consequences. The Turkish economy is in a recovery phase and is no longer at the same level of the past crisis. There are some positive indicators. Optimistic statements have also come recently. Ankara will not run out of alternatives and options.
It is important to point out that the decision to completely stop trade is completely consistent with the decision to join the genocide lawsuit.
Despite the direct effects of severing trade relations, the decision related to the International Court of Justice is deeper symbolic and more impactful. One cannot make allegation of genocide and war crime against a state and at the same time continue trade cooperation. It would mean strengthening the economy and the war machines of the enemy. The decision will have a long-term impact on the relations between Türkiye and the occupying state. But it is expected that Israel will resort to escalation against Türkiye directly and through American pressure, which will have a more negative impact on relations.
In this sense, by simply announcing its intention to join the case before the International Court of Justice, Türkiye has broken an important and significant barrier with the occupying state. It leaves the door open to possible additional steps. Characterizing “Israel” as a terrorist state, as Erdogan and several Turkish officials repeatedly stated, and accusing it of committing genocide, necessarily requires that all relations and positions be consistent with this description and approach, such as completely severing diplomatic relations, banning Turkish airspace for the occupying state, and what arrives from abroad under any name, and stopping the supply of energy materials from Azerbaijan to it, or at least threatening to do so. These actions will put pressure on some countries which support the occupation. It constitutes a model for other countries to follow.
Ankara, with its recent decision, has now moved its position on Israel to a new, different stage, which we believe will have direct consequences on the relations between the two sides in the future, even in the post-Netanyahu phase.
Although there is some collateral damage expected from commercial decisions, specifically on the Turkish economy, as well as some potential political pressures. But its impact on Türkiye, in the long term, will be positive. It carries within it many strategic gains, starting from the moral stance and standing on the right side of history, and restoring its reputation and credibility, which will not be limited just to strengthening its role and influence in the Palestinian cause and the region in the future.
[Al Jazeera]
Compiled and translated by Faizul Haque