Defense relations between Israel and Turkey remain strong despite a shift toward Islam in the Turkish government.
A report by the Washington Institute said that despite changes in
government, Turkey remains supportive of a strong defense and military
relationship with
Israel. The report cited a recent unmanned aerial vehicle deal in which an
Israeli consortium beat out a leading U.S. defense contractor.
On May 1, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan arrived in Israel
for a two-day visit, which would include the Palestinian Authority, Middle East Newsline reported.
"The defense aspect of the Turkish-Israeli relationship remains as
strong as ever," the report said. "The two countries continue to pursue
close military cooperation, including the Reliant Mermaid exercises."
Authored by senior fellow Soner Cagaptay, the report said the UAV deal
announced on April 19 represents Turkey's search for advanced defense
technology. The institute said Turkey lacks UAV technology, termed the
"next step" in air warfare.
The report said Israel and Turkey have maintained a strong intelligence
exchange. Cagaptay said Turkey acquired weapons from Israel to fight the
Kurdish Workers Party.
"Combined with the occasional U.S. reluctance to transfer sensitive
weapons systems to Ankara, Israel became a significant source of hi-tech
weapons for Turkey, which enhanced bilateral military ties," the report
said. "The Israeli-Turkish-U.S. Reliant Mermaid exercises in the
Mediterranean, as well as Israeli use of Turkish airspace for flight
training, serve as evidence of those strengthened ties."
Still, the report cited major changes in the strategic perceptions of
Israel and Turkey. Cagaptay said Turkey and Israel no longer share a threat
perception of Syria. Ankara has signed a military cooperation with Damascus
and the two countries are cooperating in demining their 700 kilometer-long
border.
The report said Erdogan intends to affirm the Turkish-Israeli relationship and
continue close defense cooperation.
"The question is whether Turkish public attitudes toward Israel -- at a
time when public attitudes are an increasingly important factor in Turkish
foreign policymaking -- will improve or deteriorate," the report said. "The
public perception of Israel in Turkey could be significantly affected by a
decision on the part of the AKP government to take a more public leadership
role in the conduct of Turkish-Israeli relations, as it has in Turkey's
relations with other Middle Eastern countries."
