Activists and supporters from several non-governmental organizations march from Beyazit Square to the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque during a protest against Israeli attacks on Gaza on World Human Rights Day in Istanbul, Turkey , December 10, 2023 – Photo: Esra Bilgin via Memo
Par Abdel Bari Atwan
Arab “normalizers” must follow Erdoğan’s example before it is too late.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s announcement on Wednesday that Turkey has severed all ties with Israel, will not continue to develop relations and will “maintain this position in the future as well” is historic and unprecedented.
This courageous stance by one of the world’s most important Islamic countries – and a member of NATO – is all the more important as it is accompanied by a strongly expressed desire to restore relations with Syria.
“I am still optimistic about (President Bashar) Assad. I still hope that we can meet and put Turkish-Syrian relations back on track,” Erdoğan told journalists accompanying him on his flight back from the Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh and negotiations on the climate of COP29 in Baku.
A conflict over hydrocarbons is brewing in the Mediterranean between Israel and Turkey
He added: “We have reached out for normalization with Syria, because this will open the door to peace and stability on Syrian territory. »
Erdoğan had taken strong verbal positions against the occupation state since the start of its assaults on Gaza and Lebanon and sharply denounced Benjamin Netanyahu and his genocidal policies.
He finally decided to cease all trade with this state despite the difficult economic situation in his country and the strong pressure exerted by Israel’s American and European allies.
But Erdoğan had been strongly criticized, both at home and abroad, for not having followed through on the trade ban and for having maintained diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv.
He has just provided a firm and resolute response to his detractors.
Israel is suspected of being behind many recent terrorist actions in Turkey, including the recent attack on the Turkish Defense Aerospace Industries headquarters building near Ankara.
He also supported plans to dismember Turkey and establish a “Greater Kurdistan,” as well as sabotaging promising peace talks with imprisoned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan.
Erdoğan notably took a big step towards satisfying the essential conditions set by the Syrian government to restore and normalize relations: the withdrawal of all Turkish forces from Syrian territory.
November 17, 2024 – Al-Mayadeen – Ankara responded negatively to Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s request to use its airspace to travel to the COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Israeli authorities had requested that Herzog’s jet pass through Turkish airspace on its way to the 29th United Nations climate change conference. However, the Turkish authorities rejected this request.
According to a statement from his office, Herzog canceled his participation in Saturday’s conference citing “security concerns.”
After the opening of the COP29 conference on Monday, dozens of protesters gathered in Baku to express their opposition to “Israel”.
At that same airborne press briefing, he strongly defended Syria’s territorial integrity and insisted that it was not threatened by Syrians based in different countries – a reference to the opposition supported by Turkey and its armed formations.
He then called on Assad to “appreciate this and take the necessary measures to create a good climate in his country.”
Erdoğan’s break with Israel and opening to Syria shames Arab countries – particularly Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Bahrain – whose governments have rushed to normalize relations with the occupying State and have remained silent or “neutral” in the face of its murderous aggression, without taking a single step, small or large, to demonstrate their solidarity or support for the Palestinian and Lebanese people.
The Turkish president has set an example for them and taken an initiative that they would be well advised to follow before it is too late.
It is perhaps premature to speculate on Assad’s response to this Turkish demonstration of solidarity with the axis of resistance, the Palestinian cause and the resistance fighters who have confounded the Israeli army and shattered its myth of omnipotence. But it will certainly not be negative.
The return of the Turkish and Syrian sides to the historic Adana Treaty of 1998, with Russian sponsorship and guarantees, remains the quickest path to restore and develop their relations and put an end to all mistakes and obstacles previous ones.
November 15, 2024 – Raï-al-Yaoum – Translation: Chronicle of Palestine
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