Turkish foreign minister says Turkey has closed its airspace to Israeli planes over Gaza war
apAUG 31
Turkey Bars Israeli Ships, Flights From Its Territory
Above: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a joint press conference on May 30, 2025, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Image copyright: Vitalii Nosach/Global Images Ukraine/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Turkey narrative
Turkey's decisive action is a necessary response to Israel's systematic destruction of Gaza and deliberate targeting of civilians. The complete economic severance and airspace restrictions send a clear message from the Turkish people that genocide cannot go unpunished while the international community profits from trade relations. The measures taken by the ErdoÄŸan government demonstrate a genuine commitment to Palestinian rights that goes beyond empty diplomatic statements.
Pro-Israel narrative
The disgraceful spectacle of allegedly severing trade ties with Israel is symptomatic of the ErdoÄŸan government, which likes to engage in harsh anti-Israel rhetoric, while its factual actions tell a quite different story. Despite domestic political pressure, Ankara can't afford to sever economic ties with Israel and thereby also jeopardize its Western relations. Also, it's intolerable for Ankara to accuse Israel of "genocide" when, in fact, it was Turkey that committed genocide against the Armenians.
Narrative C
The escalating tensions come as Israel is on the offensive due to the Gaza war. Amid the recent military confrontation with Iran, though Iran is far from defeated, the long-term impact of the Netanyahu government's actions on Israel is yet to be seen. Meanwhile, Ankara is seeking to consolidate its influence in Syria, thereby further strengthening its geopolitical stance in the region. Both countries are vying for regional dominance, which is likely to intensify bilateral tensions.