Officials cited Turkey's referendum that would revise the secular
constitution. They said the 26 amendments approved by 58 percent of voters
on Sept. 12 would significantly increase the authority of Erdogan's ruling
Justice and Development Party while marginalizing Turkey's military.
Leading officials expressed concern over Erdogan's growing power in
Turkey and his success in intimidating the once-powerful Turkish military, Middle East Newsline reported.
They said Erdogan could use his referendum victory to expand Turkey's
alliance with neighboring Iran and Syria while fomenting another crisis with
Israel.
Turkey has launched plans to build at least two nuclear reactors and
produce enriched uranium. But Israeli analysts did not rule out that under
Erdogan Turkey could acquire weapons technology under the cover of a
civilian nuclear program.
Erdogan, said to be heavily supported by Saudi Arabia, was expected to
further downgrade relations with Israel. One prospect was Turkish
sponsorship or support for another flotilla to the Gaza Strip. In May 2010,
nine passengers, eight of them Turks, were killed in a bloody Israel Navy
interception of a Turkish-sponsored flotilla to the Gaza Strip.
"If there is not a change in personality, then Turkey will become Iran
No. 2," former National Security Council director Uzi Dayan said.