DayofPal– Turkey has reportedly moved to block any new cooperation between Israel and NATO, including military exercises, until a permanent ceasefire is reached in Gaza.
According to Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Turkey has already prevented Israel from joining NATO’s annual “resilience and emergency preparedness” drill, set to take place in Bulgaria this September. Two Israeli sources confirmed to Middle East Eye that Ankara had vetoed Israel’s participation in the exercise.
A Turkish official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated that Turkey has been obstructing Israel’s new engagements within NATO for over a year. “However, activities stemming from Israel’s existing status in NATO continue,” the official clarified.
While past agreements remain in place, Ankara has exercised its veto power, crucial in NATO’s decision-making process, which requires unanimous approval.
“Until a permanent ceasefire is reached in Gaza and barriers to humanitarian aid are lifted, we will not permit new NATO decisions or activities involving Israel,” the official added.
This is not the first time Turkey has used its influence within NATO to curb Israel’s role. Previously, Ankara had blocked Israel from gaining observer status, a restriction that was briefly lifted in 2023 during a short-lived reconciliation process.
Relations between the two nations have sharply deteriorated, particularly after a high-profile September 2023 meeting in New York between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which was intended to restore diplomatic ties.
However, the subsequent Israeli genocide in Gaza shattered chances of renewed cooperation.
Since then, Turkey has intensified its pressure on Israel through diplomatic, economic, and legal channels. Ankara has imposed trade sanctions, pursued legal actions, and joined the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
With Turkey standing firm, its NATO veto adds another layer of international pressure on Israel, signaling that Ankara is willing to leverage its strategic position in the alliance to demand accountability.
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