Turkey's Palestine and Hamas policy during AK Party era

Turkey was depended on the Western block throughout the cold war. Meanwhile, it pursuit passive and withdrawn policy due to its security concerns. It acted along with its block to counter surrounding political tensions, conflicts and problems. Turkish foreign policy witnessed an important transformation after Ak Party came to power. After this transformation, Turkey rearranged its relations with the West and the Middle East countries. It made an effort to be in good relations with neighboring countries by using the tools of active and multi-dimensional foreign policy. Turkey tried to play an active role in settling disputes in the region in line with its policy of zero problems with neighbors. Turkey, as part of following a multi-dimensional and multilateral foreign policy, also took steps in the direction of solving the Israel-Palestine conflict which is the prominent problem of the region. It mediated between parties thereby pursuing balancing policy. Turkey's approach to Middle East in general and to Palestine in particular is important. This work mainly tries to grasp Ak Party's perspective on Palestine issue. The reason that we limit this work to Ak Party era is the assumption that Turkey dealt more with the Israel – Palestine issue after Ak Party came to power. Furthermore, the factors that determine Turkey's relations with Hamas and Palestine are tried to be discussed in this wok. In particular, it calls attention to how Turkey's foreign policy to Palestine and Hamas took form in the Ak Party era.