Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long been a vocal defender of the Palestinian cause, condemning Israel for its actions towards Palestinians, and once notably berating the late former Israeli President Shimon Peres on stage at the World Economic Forum.
His vocal support for Palestine reflects how important the Palestinian cause is to many Turkish citizens. Back in 2010, for instance, a boat called the Mavi Marmara – part of a flotilla seeking to deliver aid to the besieged Gaza Strip – was stopped and raided by Israeli forces.
Nine people on board were killed, while dozens were injured. The incident fractured Turkey-Israeli relations for years until 2016, when the countries agreed to a pathway to normalising relations.
But ties are souring again due to Israel’s devastating war on Gaza.
While Erdogan has harshly condemned Israel’s war, he, along with his government, has been criticised both domestically and abroad for what has been perceived as a lack of direct action in support of Gaza since the beginning of Israel’s war on the enclave in October.
In recent weeks, however, Turkey has become increasingly adamant in its stance. On Wednesday, it formally submitted its declaration to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Sinem Adar, an expert on Turkey and a research associate with the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), said that Turkey took this step in large part because Erdogan and his base, who tend to be religious Muslims, are passionate about supporting Palestinians. But, she added, that this step partly reflects the government’s lack of leverage to shape the situation in Israel-Palestine.
Adar noted that for years Turkey has tried to brand itself as a regional power, but said that Erdogan is not involved in the current ceasefire negotiations, has little leverage over Israel and is “not seen as a credible partner” by Western countries who support Israel militarily and diplomatically.
“I think [the regional crisis since] October 7 has revealed to the government the limits of its own power [to shape outcomes],” Adar told Al Jazeera.
Some analysts say the move to file a complaint at the ICJ is largely symbolic and more aimed at appeasing those domestic constituents and critics calling on their government to show solidarity with Palestinians.
