Since 2000, relations regained its historically fluctuating pattern and this continues to characterize the nature of relations between Turkey and Israel today. When Turkish-Israeli relations were formalized in March 28, 1949, Turkey became the first Muslim state to recognize the state of Israel; however, relations were kept at a minimum level for decades. From 1949 to the early 1990s, relations were very fragile and followed a fluctuating pattern. This pattern was replaced by the “honeymoon years” starting from the late 1990’s. The late 1990s marked by the soft coup of 1997, also known as the “February 28 Process,” constituted an exception in the pattern and level of relations between Turkey and Israel. Since 2000, relations regained its historically fluctuating pattern and this continues to characterize the nature of relations between Turkey and Israel today.
The Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip in 2008 is a turning point in Turkish-Israeli relations. During the period from the Gaza attack to Ehud Barak’s recent Turkey visit, Turkey’s Israel policy has been consistent and well-organized, while Israeli policies toward Turkey can be characterized as chaotic and disorganized. The mise-en-scène of the most recent “chair crisis” is a clear indicator of this disorganization and chaos.
The bigger picture of the crisis between Turkey and Israel suggests a structural difference between the two countries’ foreign policy orientations and visions regarding the future of the Middle East. The Turkish-Israeli relations would continue to fluctuate without Israel’s willingness to deal decisively with the key issues of peace in the Middle East, such as the settlements, status of Jerusalem, and Lebanese and Syrian tracks, and most urgently, the improvement of humanitarian conditions in Gaza. *** Background When Turkish-Israeli relations were formalized in March 28, 1949, Turkey became the first Muslim state to recognize the state of Israel; however, relations were kept at a minimum level for decades. From 1949 to the early 1990s, relations were very fragile and followed a fluctuating pattern. This pattern was replaced by the “honeymoon years” starting from the late 1990’s. Since 2000, relations regained its historically fluctuating pattern and this continues to characterize the nature of relations between Turkey and Israel today. First diplomatic strain between the two countries emerged in 1956 during the Suez crisis. As a result, Turkey downgraded its diplomatic representation in Israel. Arab countries’ pressure was influential in this decision, although Turkey refused to sever its ties with Israel completely. The downward trend of relations came to an end in 1958, when the first regular contacts between the two states were established at the hands of Turkish Prime Minister Adnan Menderes and the Prime Minister of Israel, David Ben-Gurion. The two leaders secretly laid down the framework for a “strategic alliance” based on the “peripheral doctrine,” which proposed exchanges of intelligence information and cooperation in military technology between the two countries. In 1967, tensions ran high with the outbreak of the Six-Day War, as Turkey condemned Israel for its territorial gains in the war. During the Yom Kippur War of October 1973, Turkey refused to grant the right of passage through its airspace and use of its landing facilities to American cargo planes that carried urgent supplies to Israel.1 In November 1980, Turkey reduced its diplomatic relations with Israel to the level of junior charg&e
