Turkey has also cut off all commercial and transit relations with Israel and now banned all air and air traffic.
There has been an increment on a substantive level on the contiguous relations between Turkey and Israel that is indicating a sharp turn in regard to trade stance. Today Turkey established a total stalemate of trade and transit affairs with Israel, a move that goes as far as banning all aviation traffic between the two countries it is not just a face loss in a diplomatic tussle, but an ambitious strategies of the scale with very wide implications on both their domestic interests, and the geopolitical context at large. The order reflects a sinister Pasteurization of Ankara induced indignation toward the unresolved conflict in Gaza and thus framing such a measure as a culmination in a decade-long, frequently strained relationship between governments.
The bilateral relations of the Republic of Turkey with the State of Israel have traditionally been typified with a high degree of complexity.
The stages of cooperation which included healthy trade relations and a military cooperation should be overwhelmed with significant levels of disagreements. The two states had long-term relationship which could be described as strong partnership as both states were participating in mutually advantageous trade alongside joint defense actions. But with the beginning of the early twenty-first century, a significant point of increased tension had reached a point where the Turkish presidency, directed by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan began expressing an overt support of the Palestinian cause and making audible criticisms of the Israeli policies. The events that beget diplomatic crises and the situation is distinguished with an even increased immediacy in the present setting.
The modern ban on any trade and air passage between the two countries represents the harshest step which Turkey took to date. Such sanction is no longer the mere rhetoric of diplomacy, but a tangible requirement, with mature consequences. It shows that Turkey is ready to pressurize Israel by using its economic and geographic still advantage. The aviation ban is of special concern, since Israeli traffic going to Europe and other destinations is routed through a strategic flight path, which is under the authority of Turkey thereby subjecting Israeli flies and passengers to prolonged flight time and higher business opportunities in this area.
What does this have as an implication on the way forward?
The decision will have a drastic impact on various areas including individuals and business organizations. To Turkey, it is a loss of a large trading alliance in the tune of billions of dollars; to Israel, it is a depressant of its airline industry and the general economy.
The action further promotes the feeling of isolation by Israel in the international arena thereby a strong message to the other countries that are watching the conflict in Gaza. It may therefore encourage more of such similar actions by other states.
The relocation is also a commentary on the exasperation and rage that has been experienced by numerous people in the Middle East at the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Further reacting according to these sentiments to these domestic sentiments the Turkish government admits the visible feeling of discontentment among people- a fact that leaders cannot antagonize. Finally, the intervention of Turkey would change the international sentiments of the fight, highlighting it to be not the bilateral problem between the Israel and Palestine but a regional problem that kept becoming a focus of more countries.
The future of it is still unknown. Does this ban require a recalibrate of policy or will it only further split Turkey and Israel? Time alone will give the answer. However, it is agreeable that there has been a serious violation in the bilateral relationship and that recovery may not be easy.
Published by One Nation Voice
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