As part of Turkey's objective to play a mediating role in the region, the country tries to be on speaking terms with both Israel and Hamas.[1][2] From time to time, Israel has suggested Turkey to support Hamas,[3][4] while in other cases it has opposed the support.[5]
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Under the conservative leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey has become a stalwart supporter of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.[6][7]
Unlike Israel, Turkey has never listed Hamas as a terrorist organistion. In 2010, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan described Hamas as "resistance fighters who are struggling to defend their land".[8][9] Turkey hosts senior Hamas officials, including Saleh al-Arouri. Hamas head Ismail Haniyeh and former chief Khaled Meshal visit Turkey often.[10][11][12]
According to Israel's Shin Bet, Hamas has established a command post in Turkey. which it uses to recruit operatives and oversee operations in the Middle East.[13] Hamas' Turkey branch reportedly takes decisions without taking into account the movement as a whole and without involving the Hamas leadership.[14][15] Hamas has reportedly planned attacks against Israel from Turkey, including the abduction and killing of three Israeli teenagers in 2014.[16] In 2020 Israeli diplomats charged Turkey with furnishing passports and identity cards to Hamas members in Istanbul.[17]
The Turkish government met with Hamas leaders in February 2006, after the organization's victory in the Palestinian elections. [18]
Israel suggesting to Turkey to support Hamas
Upon a visit to Israel from Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Turkish lawmaker Feyzi İşbaşaran in 1998, it was revealed that Netanyahu suggested Turkey to support Hamas. Netanyahu said "Hamas also has bank accounts for aid in banks, we help them too, you [Turkey] can help too."[3][4]
2023 Israel–Hamas war
Following the Hamas surprise attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, and the outbreak of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, President Erdoğan lauded Hamas as "a liberation group, 'mujahideen' waging a battle to protect its lands and people." Erdoğan cancelled a planned visit to Israel.[19]
See also
References
- ^ "Eying Gaza mediator role, Turkey cools Hamas ties, Erdogan restrains rhetoric - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East". www.al-monitor.com. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ "Can Turkey help resolve the Israel-Hamas war?". Atlantic Council. 9 January 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Revealing Israel's Strategic Vision in Supporting Hamas: Insights from Turkish Ex-Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz's 1998 Visit". politurco.com. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ a b Feyzi Isbasaran [@feyzi_fyzisbsrn] (October 10, 2023). "Mesut Yılmaz/Benjamin Netanyahu görüşmesi" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Michaelson, Ruth (21 April 2024). "Israel's foreign minister says Erdoğan 'should be ashamed' of meeting with Hamas chief". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ "What is Hamas? What to know about its origins, leaders and funding". PBS NewsHour. 2023-10-10. Archived from the original on 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ "Turkey, the United States, and the Israel-Hamas War". Council on Foreign Relations. Archived from the original on 2023-10-25. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
- ^ Lazaroff, T. (May 13, 2011). "Erdogan: 'Hamas is not a terrorist organization'". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ^ "Turkish FM Davutoğlu meets Hamas chief amid Israel row". Hurriyet Daily News. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
- ^ "Hamas faces risk, opportunity from warming Israel-Turkey ties". France 24. 2022-03-16. Archived from the original on 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ "US Criticizes Turkey for Hosting Hamas Leaders". VOA. 2020-08-26. Archived from the original on 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ "Qatar, Iran, Turkey and beyond: The galaxy of Hamas supporters". France 24. 2023-10-14. Archived from the original on 2023-10-14. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
- ^ Katz, Yaakov (8 September 2011). "Shin Bet: Hamas operating in Turkey, China". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
- ^ "Turkey's Hamas 'bureau' - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East". Al-Monitor. 2014-12-01. Archived from the original on 24 December 2015. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- ^ "Is Erdogan closing Hamas' Istanbul office? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East". Al-Monitor. 2015-12-21. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- ^ Franzman, Seth T. (9 May 2021). "Turkey calls Israel 'terrorist' state, seeks to 'save Jerusalem' - analysis". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ Gumrukcu, Tuvan (26 August 2020). "Turkey gave Hamas members passports, Israel says". Reuters. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
- ^ "Turkish FM Davutoğlu meets Hamas chief amid Israel row". Hurriyet Daily News. Archived from the original on 2023-10-07. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
- ^ Gumrukcu, Tuvan; Hayatsever, Huseyin (2023-10-25). "Turkey's Erdogan says Hamas is not terrorist organisation, cancels trip to Israel". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2023-11-10. Retrieved 2023-10-26.