Israel’s Firm Stance Against Turkey’s Role in Gaza: A Wake-Up Call for the West
In a bold and resolute move, Israel has firmly rejected any notion of Turkish troops participating in a postwar security force in Gaza. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has made it clear that Turkey’s armed forces will have no role in the US backed plan to stabilize the region. This decision underscores Israel’s deep-seated concerns over Turkey’s reliability as a partner in peace efforts, especially given President Erdogan’s longstanding antagonism toward the Jewish state. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has even asserted that Israel will determine which international forces are acceptable, hinting strongly at opposition to Turkish involvement. This stance is not mere posturing, it’s a necessary safeguard against entrusting Gaza’s future to a nation that has repeatedly proven itself untrustworthy.
For years, critics, myself included, have warned that Turkey cannot be relied upon as a guarantor of peace, not just in Gaza but anywhere in the world. How can a country that has illegally occupied my country, Cyprus, which is an EU member state, since Turkey’s 1974 invasion be seen as a neutral actor? The ongoing division of my island, with Turkish forces maintaining control over a self-declared “republic” recognized only by Ankara, exemplifies Turkey’s disregard for international law and sovereignty. This occupation has persisted for over five decades, fueling ethnic tensions and blocking reunification efforts.
Adding to the distrust, Turkey routinely threatens Greece, a fellow NATO ally, with aggressive rhetoric and military posturing over territorial disputes in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean. These provocations undermine the very alliance meant to ensure collective security in Europe. If Turkey is willing to saber-rattle against a NATO partner, what credibility does it have in mediating conflicts elsewhere?
The threats extend directly to Israel itself. Erdogan has escalated his hostility by threatening military intervention in Israel to “protect Palestinians,” drawing parallels to Turkey’s past actions in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh. In a brazen escalation, he has repeatedly compared Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler, labeling the Israeli leader as “worse than Hitler” and accusing him of genocide. Such inflammatory statements, broadcast on television and at international forums like the UN, reveal a leader more interested in stoking anti-Israel sentiment than fostering stability. How can any nation trust Turkey with peacekeeping when its president issues near-daily provocations against Israel?
Turkey’s duplicitous foreign dealings further erode its trustworthiness. Ankara maintains close ties with Russia’s Putin, even as the West imposes sanctions over Ukraine, allowing Turkey to serve as a conduit for evading restrictions. Similarly, Erdogan supports Venezuela’s Maduro, with recent strategic partnerships between Russia and Venezuela highlighting a network of authoritarian alignments. And let’s not overlook Turkey’s staunch backing of Hamas, providing safe haven and diplomatic cover to the terrorist group responsible for the October 7 atrocities. Signing military deals with a country that cozies up to these rogue actors is akin to handing matches to an arsonist.
History offers even more damning evidence. Turkey, as the successor to the Ottoman Empire, allied with Germany during World War I, contributing to the central Powers’ war effort. In World War II, while officially neutral for most of the conflict, Turkey signed a friendship and non-aggression treaty with Nazi Germany in 1941. This pattern of opportunistic alliances raises serious questions about Turkey’s loyalty in times of crisis.
Israel has rightfully challenged Turkey’s participation in advanced military programs like the F-35, leading to Ankara’s expulsion in 2019 over its purchase of Russian S-400 systems. No sane country should consider selling Turkey even a single engine blade, as it risks compromising sensitive technology to adversaries. Israeli officials have urged the US Congress to block any F-35 reinstatement, citing security threats from Erdogan’s regime.
Yet, disappointingly, the UK under Prime Minister Keir Starmer has chosen to ignore these red flags by signing a multibillion dollar deal to supply Turkey with 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets. This move not only disappoints Israel but also endangers fellow NATO members and regional stability, as these jets could be turned against Greece or Israel itself. Human rights concerns in Turkey add another layer of recklessness to this agreement.
The West bears full responsibility for Turkey’s emboldened posture. For decades, NATO allies have nurtured this regime like a pet python, feeding it arms, investments, and diplomatic leeway, only to watch it grow into a threat capable of striking back. The time has come for the West to wake up. Stop arming and enabling Turkey’s expansionism. Instead, stand firmly with Israel as the true protector of the region against extremism and instability. By joining forces to curb this growing menace, we can ensure that the “python” doesn’t swallow us all. The stakes in Gaza and beyond are too high for complacency.
