Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, has been using the war in Gaza as an opportunity to assert his leadership in the Muslim world and criticize the West. At a recent conference, Erdogan condemned Israel for its bombing campaign in northern Gaza and accused Western institutions of ignoring the killing of journalists. While human rights organizations have criticized Israel for civilian casualties and attacks on journalists, Erdogan’s claims resonate with many in Turkey, where criticism of Western countries is on the rise. These accusations of Western hypocrisy play into Erdogan’s hands by reinforcing his argument that Turkey should forge its own path and disregard Western values. They also weaken his democratic opponents and hinder efforts to promote human rights.
Turkey’s relations with Europe and America were already strained before the war in Gaza. Erdogan’s defense of Hamas, a group considered a terrorist organization by Western leaders, has further damaged Turkey’s relationship with Israel and may impact its ties with the U.S. For example, Erdogan’s support for Hamas has made it unlikely for him to have a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden anytime soon. Additionally, Turkey’s decision to delay Sweden’s accession to NATO and its outrage over America’s handling of the war in Gaza could jeopardize a planned sale of F-16 warplanes to Turkey. These developments not only have immediate consequences but also have long-term implications. The bombing campaign in Gaza may make it harder for Western countries to criticize Turkey for its actions in Syria, and the perception of Western double standards compromises the ability to discuss norms with Turkey.
The conflict in Gaza holds significance for Turkey, not only because of its connection to the Muslim world but also due to its impact on the perception of Western values in the country. While most Turks do not identify strongly with the Palestinians, they sympathize with them, including the secular opposition. A poll conducted before the October 7th massacre showed that 76% of Turks sided with the Palestinians compared to only 5% who sided with Israel. The conflict reinforces the belief among some Turks that Western norms and values deteriorate when confronted with situations like Gaza. As a result, support for Western countries, including the United States, is likely to decline further.
The inability of the international community to stop the fighting in Gaza not only gives Erdogan the moral high ground he desires but also strengthens his position and reduces accountability for his own abuses of power. This situation is concerning to Yigit Aksakoglu, a Turkish civil society activist who was imprisoned on false terror charges for his involvement in protests against Erdogan’s government. Aksakoglu acknowledges Erdogan’s accusations of Western hypocrisy and believes that the West should be ashamed of its actions.
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Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been using the war in Gaza to criticize Western countries and present himself as a leader of the Muslim world. Erdogan accuses Western governments of hypocrisy for sanctioning Turkey’s actions in Syria while refusing to sanction Israel for its actions in Gaza. These accusations resonate in Turkey, where criticism of Western policy is widespread. The war in Gaza has strained Turkey’s relations with Europe and America, and Erdogan’s defense of Hamas has damaged Turkey’s relationship with Israel. The perception of Western double standards has compromised discussions of human rights with Turkey. While most Turks do not identify with the Palestinians, sympathy for them is widespread, particularly among the secular opposition. The conflict in Gaza strengthens Erdogan’s position and makes him less accountable for his own abuses of power. Overall, the war in Gaza has further strained Turkey’s relationship with the West and reinforced Erdogan’s argument for Turkey to chart its own course.
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