President Tayyip Erdogan rallied hundreds of thousands in Istanbul in one of the biggest pro-Palestinian events since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Addressing the crowd a day before Turkey’s 100th anniversary as a secular republic, Erdogan’s statements were a mix of political positioning and support for Palestine.
Erdogan expressed his dismay at Israel’s actions, stating, “Israel has been openly committing war crimes for 22 days, but the Western leaders cannot even call on Israel for a ceasefire.” Labelling Israel as a war criminal, he further emphasized Turkey’s position to declare the same to the world vocally.
He also asserted that Hamas, contrary to the views of many Western nations, was not a terrorist organization but represented Palestinians fighting against occupation. While he acknowledged the unfortunate civilian deaths caused by Hamas’s attack on southern Israel, Erdogan referred to Hamas as Palestinian “freedom fighters”.
Turkey’s Foreign Policy and Diplomatic Stance
Turkey’s stance on Hamas differs from many international entities, including several NATO allies and the European Union. Turkey does not designate Hamas as a terrorist organization. Instead, Turkey has consistently supported a two-state solution and even offered its mediation services in hostage release negotiations.
However, Erdogan’s critique of unconditional Western support for Israel hasn’t been well-received universally. Nations like Italy and Israel itself responded strongly against such allegations.
Sinan Ulgen, an expert from a renowned Istanbul-based think-tank, emphasized the need for Turkey to approach such delicate matters with finesse if it wishes to play a pivotal diplomatic role.
Erdogan’s rally, strategically timed a day before the centenary of Turkey’s secular republic, was seen by analysts as an attempt to dominate headlines, potentially overshadowing celebrations of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the republic’s founder.
As Erdogan and his AK Party have moved away from Ataturk’s Western-oriented ideals, this rally was symbolic of a shift in Turkey’s identity and politics. Modern Turkey’s founder, Ataturk, was juxtaposed against Erdogan’s portraits on many government infrastructures, indicating a clear shift in ideals and policies.
Analyst Asli Aydintasbas highlighted the potential intent behind Erdogan’s statements, suggesting they may have been tailored to appeal to and consolidate Turkey’s Sunni conservative base.
The looming 100th-anniversary celebrations, despite the Israel-Hamas conflict backdrop, are set to be commemorated across Turkey as planned.
