Blue Marmara before and after Turkey-Israel relations: Analysis of change and transformation

During the period after the Second World War, Turkey began to move together with the Western Bloc, and was quick to recognize Israel despite being initially suspicious especially in this context. The relations that have had ups and downs since then have become closer with the perception of external threats from time to time and on the contrary, they have sometimes been ineffective. Especially after the Justice and Development Party came to power, the relations between the two countries became more tense. Relations between Turkey and Israel have been set on a Strategic Partnership ground in 1996, and in this cooperation framework, Turkey has a stronger hand against Syria, especially in the name of cutting support for terrorism. However, after 3 November 2002, as a result of the change in decision-makers in Turkish foreign policy, the security of Israel has increased and the security of other Islamic actors has decreased. In other words, while the perception of threat from Israel has boosted, foreign policy has been attempted to be formed with the cooperation of anti-Israel countries. Consecutive tensions (Hamas visit, Davos Crisis and the Low Seat Incident, etc.) damaged the two countries' alliance in the region. A strong blow has also been added to the strained relations by Israel's attack to the Mavi Marmara ship. Thus, the relations between the two countries have come to a breaking point.