'No reason to have an open conflict’: Turkey changes narrative from anti-Israel to anti-Netanyahu

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has softened his rhetoric regarding Israel, asserting that "there is no reason to have an open conflict." This statement comes just a week after he made significantly harsher remarks that drew criticism from Israeli politicians.

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I think there is no reason to have an open conflict.

Fidan clarified his previous comments, which had decried "these people (in reference to Israel) have become a burden that humanity can no longer bear," by directing his criticism specifically at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition and certain opposition members. He emphasized that "there are still very sane and good people with wisdom and strategic minds in Israel," suggesting his critique was not aimed at the nation as a whole.

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These people (in reference to Israel) have become a burden that humanity can no longer bear.

Analysts interpret Fidan's revised stance as a strategic move to distance Turkey's criticism from Israel as a nation and focus it on the current Israeli government's actions. Gallia Lindenstrauss, a senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies, noted that Fidan's mention of "reasonable" individuals was reassuring, implying potential for improved relations should Israel's government change.

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Not all of them are like Netanyahu and some people, but Netanyahu and some people, as they get closer to the elections, they need an enemy. They were at war with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, and now they need another enemy.

Geopolitical analyst Burak Can Çelik views Fidan's approach as a "controlled competition" where security, balance of power, and regional dynamics are paramount. He suggests that while public discourse may fluctuate, the underlying interests between Turkey and Israel remain. Çelik pointed to the historically good relations, including collaborations in trade, technology, culture, and tourism before October 7, as evidence that current tensions might signal a "controlled softness" rather than a permanent strategic break.

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His statement that there are ‘reasonable’ people was especially reassuring that should Israel have another government, things might look different between Israel and Turkey.