Erdogan’s Turkey eyes trade normalization with Israel

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may have publicly maintained a harsh tone against Israel since the October 7, 2023, attacks, but signs on the ground suggest a shift is underway. 

According to Israeli broadcaster N12, Ankara appears to be preparing for a normalization of trade and diplomatic ties with Israel.

Despite Erdogan’s repeated condemnations of Israeli actions in Gaza, Israeli officials believe the Turkish leader is ultimately a pragmatist. Behind the scenes, Turkey is taking steps that hint at a quiet re-engagement with the Jewish state.

A notable indicator: the Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv has recently relocated to a significantly larger office space, reportedly twice the size of its previous premises. This move is being interpreted in diplomatic circles as a preparation for increased activity, potentially pointing to a coming thaw in bilateral relations.

Economic Realities Driving Rapprochement

Israeli suggest that Turkey’s self-imposed economic boycott has hurt the Turkish economy far more than it affected Israel. With inflation still high and economic pressures mounting domestically, Ankara may see renewed trade with Israel as a necessary step to stabilize its economy.

Israeli analysts view this as Erdogan’s balancing act: maintaining public opposition to Israeli policies for domestic and regional audiences, while quietly restoring economic and diplomatic channels in the background.