Does Turkey support Hamas? This question has been a source of debate and controversy for years, with implications for regional stability and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict To understand the complex relationship between Turkey and Hamas, we need to delve into the history, motivations, and implications of this alliance.
A Historical Shift: From Ally to Adversary
For decades, Turkey and Israel enjoyed a strong partnership, rooted in shared security interests and economic cooperation. However, the rise of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as Turkey’s president marked a significant shift in this relationship. Erdoğan’s increasingly Islamist ideology and vocal criticism of Israel’s policies towards Palestinians led to a deterioration of ties. This culminated in the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, where Israeli forces intercepted a Turkish-led flotilla attempting to break the blockade of Gaza, resulting in the deaths of ten Turkish citizens.
From Safe Haven to Political Support
Following the Mavi Marmara incident, Turkey’s support for Hamas escalated. Hamas established a presence in Turkey, with senior leaders finding a safe haven and political support from the Erdoğan government. This included providing Hamas with offices, financial assistance, and even Turkish citizenship for key figures like Ismail Haniyeh.
Beyond Rhetoric: Military and Financial Aid
Turkey’s support for Hamas extends beyond political rhetoric. Reports suggest that Turkey has provided Hamas with military assistance, including weapons and training. Additionally, Turkish NGOs with ties to the government have funneled funds to Hamas, enabling the group to finance its activities, including attacks against Israel.
A Shared Worldview: Anti-Western and Anti-Semitic Sentiments
Erdoğan’s political views align closely with Hamas’s ideology. Both share a deep-seated anti-Western and anti-Semitic sentiment, viewing Israel as an oppressive force in the region. This shared worldview fuels their support for each other despite international condemnation of Hamas as a terrorist organization.
The 2023 Hamas-Israel War: A Catalyst for Escalation
The recent escalation of violence between Hamas and Israel in October 2023 further solidified Turkey’s position as a staunch supporter of Hamas. Erdoğan condemned Israel’s actions, calling them a “massacre” and accusing Israel of war crimes. He also threatened military action against Israel, highlighting the potential for a wider regional conflict.
Implications for Regional Stability
Turkey’s unwavering support for Hamas raises concerns about its impact on regional stability. It emboldens Hamas, potentially leading to further violence and instability in the region. Additionally, it strains Turkey’s relationship with Israel and other Western countries, further complicating diplomatic efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Turkey’s support for Hamas is a complex and controversial issue with far-reaching implications. It reflects the changing political landscape in the Middle East, fueled by ideological clashes and regional rivalries. Understanding this relationship is crucial for analyzing the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and its potential impact on regional stability.
Palestinian actors and Turkey’s Islamist-secular divide
KEVIN HUGGARD: What Palestinian actors are Turkish leaders likely to support based on the Islamist-secular divide in Turkish politics? e. , Hamas, the principal Islamist organization, or Fatah, the principal secular nationalist organization)? Or does support for the Palestinian cause in Turkey typically cut across these ideological divisions?
ASLI AYDINTAŞBAŞ: I think the Palestinian cause now transcends the Islamist-secular divide.
For the government, the ideological battle has long been settled in favor of Hamas. While Turkey works with both Fatah and Hamas, and has occasionally welcomed both Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, and Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority (PA), at the same time, the PA is seen as an ineffectual organization, while Hamas is a real organization. In that sense, Turkey has elevated and legitimized Hamas’s position within the Muslim world.
But I don’t know what all that means for the future. What the Israelis have planned for Gaza and the nature of the Gaza administration that will emerge after the war are unknown. Qatar and Turkey will continue to deal with Hamas’ political wing. Meetings with Haniyeh or other Hamas leaders, however, might not matter if the PA intervenes to seize control of Gaza.
The real question, in my opinion, is whether Turkey will change its tune and soften its rhetoric toward Hamas in order to gain the kind of access it desires in Gaza and the West Bank.
Turkish elite vs. societal opinion
KEVIN HUGGARD: To what degree are the demands of the Turkish people at large driving the country’s political leadership, as opposed to the demands of the bottom up?
ASLI AYDINTABAŞ: There’s no denying that the public is sympathetic to the Palestinian cause and extremely sensitive to this issue. For the average person, the suffering in Gaza is constantly covered, and there is constant commentary suggesting that Israel is only able to carry out these actions because the US permits it.
Public criticism of Hamas in the early days after the October 7 carnage is long gone. In public discourse, the oppressor and the oppressed are portrayed in stark black and white, with little room for nuance and little recollection of the events of October 7. There is also growing anti-Americanism for what is perceived as the United States’ blank check for Israel.
By arguing that Hamas is not a terrorist group, Erdoğan reinforces those feelings and gives the group some degree of legitimacy. By doing this, he has been able to shape the public’s perception of the problem. Specifically, according to Metropoll polling data, only 3% of respondents think that Hamas is a terrorist organization.
This conflict has also allowed Erdoğan to make a case about a civilizational rift with the West. He calls it “crusader vs crescent” and of course, Turkey is on the side of the crescent. I’m concerned that an increasing number of Turks are beginning to believe this civilizational narrative and view Turkey as distinct from the liberal order, which is characterized as immoral, prejudiced, and contradictory. I think Turkish society is getting closer to the idea of a non-aligned Turkey as a result of the Gaza conflict.
Turkey’s president says Hamas is not a terrorist organisation
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