Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated on Friday that there is “no reason to have an open conflict” with Israel, marking a pivot from his previous rhetoric. This shift comes just one week after Fidan faced accusations of inciting genocide from Israeli officials for describing the state of Israel as a “burden that humanity can no longer bear.”
Strategic Re-alignment or Rhetorical Shift
In an interview with The National, Fidan sought to clarify his position by distinguishing between the current Israeli government and the broader Israeli public. While he directed sharp criticism toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, asserting they require an “enemy” to consolidate power ahead of elections, he noted that “there are still very sane and good people with wisdom and strategic minds in Israel.”
Gallia Lindenstrauss, a senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies, told The Jerusalem Post that this change in tone serves to distance Fidan’s criticism from the Israeli state as a whole. According to Lindenstrauss, the inclusion of “reasonable” people in his remarks suggests that diplomatic relations could potentially stabilize under a different Israeli administration.
Geopolitical Factors and F-35 Acquisition
The sudden moderation of Ankara’s tone is widely viewed through the lens of Turkey’s defense ambitions, specifically the acquisition of F-35 fighter jets. Following a recent NATO summit where U.S. President Donald Trump expressed a willingness to drop sanctions against Turkey—originally imposed over its purchase of Russian S-400 systems—the prospect of the sale has gained momentum. However, the move faces opposition from a bipartisan group of American lawmakers and Israeli officials.
Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak, a Turkey expert at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies, argued that Fidan’s softened language may be an attempt to mitigate Israeli resistance to the F-35 deal. Yanarocak cautioned that these statements should be viewed as “lip service” unless accompanied by tangible actions, such as ending unilateral sanctions and restoring direct flights between Istanbul and Tel Aviv.
Future Outlook for Ankara-Jerusalem Relations
Despite the current friction, analysts suggest a total collapse in relations remains unlikely. Burak Can Çelik, an Istanbul-based geopolitical analyst, told The Jerusalem Post that the current state of affairs represents a “controlled competition.” Çelik noted that while ideological discourse currently dominates headlines, “geography and common interests are permanent.”
Because trade, technology, and tourism collaborations were robust prior to October 7, analysts expect that the current rhetoric could signal a transition toward “controlled softness.” Whether this leads to a formal thaw in diplomatic relations may depend on whether Turkey moves beyond verbal reassurances and adopts the confidence-building measures suggested by regional observers.
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