Turkey's diplomatic push: Mobilizing Africa in anti-Israel campaign

Turkey has submitted a letter to the United Nations, signed by 52 countries and two organizations, urging an immediate halt to arms supplies and sales to Israel. 

This announcement was made on Sunday by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a press conference in Djibouti, where he was attending a Turkey-Africa Partnership meeting.

“We have issued a joint letter calling on all nations to stop selling weapons and ammunition to Israel,” Fidan stated. “We delivered this letter, which has 54 signatories, to the UN on November 1.” The signatories include major global players such as Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Algeria, China, Iran, and Russia, as well as the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

The letter is part of a broader initiative led by Turkey, which has actively sought to rally support among countries of the Global South for its stance on the ongoing conflict in Gaza. 

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had already called on the United Nations in mid-October to impose an arms embargo on Israel, which he suggested would be an “effective solution” to end the violence in Gaza.

Fidan emphasized Turkey’s position, saying, “We must continuously reiterate that selling weapons to Israel is tantamount to participating in its genocide.” This rhetoric reflects Turkey’s outspoken criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, where Turkey has consistently condemned Israeli military operations and supported Palestinian causes.

Mixed International Support and Criticism

The signatories include countries that have traditionally aligned with pro-Palestinian groups and have, in some cases, been linked to supporting organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah. 

Notably, the joint letter does not address Iran's continued support of regional groups, including Hezbollah, the Houthis in Yemen, and various Shia militias in Iraq, raising questions about the scope and intent of Turkey's call for an arms embargo.

Turkey’s latest diplomatic effort is seen as part of a larger push to gain influence within the Global South. Through alliances with African and Middle Eastern nations, Turkey is promoting itself as a voice for the developing world on major international issues, including the Israel-Palestine conflict.

However, analysts argue that the chances of the UN taking significant action on Turkey's request are slim. Due to strong opposition from Western nations, who view Israel as a key ally in the region, there is little likelihood of a UN resolution passing to impose an arms embargo on Israel.

Turkey's call to the UN, while unlikely to achieve an immediate embargo, reflects its continued diplomatic engagement with countries across the Global South. 

Turkey’s emphasis on issues like arms trade and the need for peaceful resolutions aligns with its aim to forge deeper ties with nations across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. For many of these countries, Turkey presents itself as a mediator and a representative of their interests on the global stage.

While Turkey’s request is unlikely to yield immediate results, it underscores the shifting alliances and diplomatic strategies shaping the UN’s responses to conflicts worldwide.