Turkish-Israeli Relations in Light of The Justice and Development Party

This study aimed to identify the status of the Turkish-Israeli relationships, and to identify the changesin these relationships during the rule of the Justice and Development Party (JDP) from 2002-2012.The study relied on the realist theory due to its ability to explain the foundations of these Turkish-Israeli relationships.This theory holds that the relationships between the countries are based on the strength and interests whichconstitute an important tool in the interpretation of the international relationships, alliances, conflicts and wars. The study relied on the historical approach in the analysis of the Turkish-Israeli relationships due to its validity in the study of the phenomenon. The study was based on the hypothesis whichholds that the dimension of interestswas the basis of the status of the Turkish-Israeli relationships in light of the Turkish JDP which has an Islamic orientation. The study showed that the strategic foreign policy of the new JDP government was based on the balance in the relationships between Israel andTurkey. In addition, the Turkish foreign policy focused on the Palestinian issue in order to gaindomestic popular support and therefore this issue played a prominent role in the Turkish-Israeli relationships.The increased Turkish public criticism of the Israeli practices led to a reciprocal criticism whichput their relationships at risk. Moreover, the study showed that despite the tense political relationships between the two countries, the economic relationships developed and many economic agreements were signed along with the increased Israel tourism to Turkey. Similarly, the cooperation between the two parties in the security and military aspects continued and evolved although it became slowerand more confidential. The study also showed that interests are sole determiner of the Turkishforeign policy towards Israel. The religious dimension is thus a matter of propaganda and, as the realist theory holds, the international relationshipsare actually based on strength and interests. Besides, the support of the TurkishJDP to the Palestinian side had negative impacts on the Turkish-Israeli relationships; however, the economic, military and security relationships continued as ever