Turkey's relationships with both BRICS and Israel are on the rocks, with significant developments occurring recently between the country and these two entities. On one hand, Turkey is exploring new alliances within BRICS, and on the other hand, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made bold statements severing all ties with Israel amid rising tensions.
At the BRICS leaders’ summit hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kazan, Turkey made headlines as Trade Minister Omer Bolat revealed Turkey was offered ‘partner country’ status within the group of nations. This group includes major players such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with newer members like Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. Bolat shared this update during an interview, emphasizing Turkey's interest and initiative to balance its Eastern and Western ties. Notably, Erdogan has expressed optimism about the potential of increased economic cooperation with BRICS member states.
Erdogan has clarified Turkey’s relationship with the NATO alliance remains unchanged, asserting the move toward BRICS is not intended as defiance against its Western connections. He has underscored the need for Turkey to diversify its international partnerships, especially coming from tumultuous times when bilateral relations with the United States and European countries have faced significant strains. For Turkey, this partnership with BRICS could signal economic opportunities and diplomatic leverage, even as it maintains its commitments to NATO.
Despite initial discussions around BRICS membership, Turkish officials depicted the offered status as merely transitional. Conversations around full membership have emerged but haven’t materialized, with internal voices indicating dissatisfaction about not gaining full membership.
On the flip side, Turkey's diplomatic relations with Israel have swiftly deteriorated. Following Erdogan's latest remarks, he firmly declared to journalists aboard his plane, “The government of the Republic of Turkey, under the leadership of Tayyip Erdogan, will not continue or develop relations with Israel.” This drastic shift follows Turkey's increasing stance against Israel's military actions, particularly Israel's operations in Gaza following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of over 43,000 Palestinians. Many human rights groups have classified these actions as genocide.
Earlier this year, Erdogan criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's actions, emphasizing Turkey’s commitment to hold him accountable. Turkey, having already imposed trade sanctions on Israel, has now declared it will sever all ties. This came even after Turkey temporarily recalled its ambassador and continued to maintain some operational diplomatic relations. No dialogue has been signaled, leading to questions about the future of any kind of productive relations with Israel.
During various discussions at international forums, including the United Nations, Turkey has taken concerted actions addressing what it perceives to be human rights violations and the dire humanitarian situation resulting from Israel’s military operations. Erdogan has also spearheaded initiatives aimed at establishing arms embargoes against Israel, rallying international support from 52 countries and two organizations to curb the flow of weapons to Tel Aviv. His commitment to the Palestinian cause has been unwavering and influential as he navigates these troubled waters.
The complexity of Turkey's foreign relations continues to evolve amid these significant shifts. While some analysts see Turkey's pivot toward BRICS as strategic, aimed at optimizing its geopolitical stance, others warn of the potential isolation or backlash it could face from Western allies, particularly the U.S. and European nations. The current world geopolitical climate adds layers of complexity, making Turkey’s redefined roles as both NATO member and potential BRICS partner particularly noteworthy.
For now, Turkey finds itself standing at the crossroads of global diplomacy, one foot searching for new alliances with nations like those within BRICS and the other firmly committed to severing relationships with Israel. It remains to be seen how these gestures will play out and whether the Turkish government can balance these relationships without compromising its interests or facing isolation.
Meanwhile, the dynamics with Israel show no signs of thawing. Turkish internal politics are also at play, where Erdogan faces pressure domestically to take a strong stand against perceived injustices involving Palestinians, motivating his government to take decisive measures against Israel’s actions and solidifying ties with Arab nations.
How these newly formed equations will evolve matters not just to Turkey but to its partners and adversaries within the international community as we move forward. The global diplomatic environment, particularly focused on conflict areas like the Middle East, will continue to view Turkey's actions with scrutiny. Analysts will likely keep their eyes peeled to see how Erdogan manages the contradictions of seeking new alliances via BRICS, all the whilst concluding relationships with long-time adversaries. This balancing act is particularly fascinating during these times of rapid regional and global changes, and the world will be watching closely.
