Turkey’s Relations with Israel on the Brink of Collapse: The Assassination of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh

The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas leader, has created a tense situation in Turkish-Israeli relations. This event may act as a turning point in the relationship between the two nations, driven by both political and personal factors. Turkey has been a strong supporter of Hamas for nearly two decades, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan personally knew and held Haniyeh in high regard. The assassination was perceived as a personal affront by Erdogan, who had even invited Haniyeh to address the Turkish parliament shortly before his death. In response, Turkey is likely to adopt a harsher stance towards Israel, backed by Turkish policymakers and the public who largely view the Israeli actions in Gaza as unjustified, poorly executed, and marked by civilian casualties. Turkey has already joined South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, aiming to hold Israel accountable for alleged genocide in Gaza. While Turkey’s involvement with the International Court of Justice doesn’t necessarily imply an obligation to accept the court’s final verdict, it symbolizes a shift in Turkey’s approach towards Israel, indicating further actions in the near future. This potential escalation may have significant implications for American policy and Turkish-Israeli relations.