Abbas’s Visit to Turkey and Reconciliation in Palestine

On November 29, the UN elevated Palestine’s status from “observer entity” to “non-member observer state” at the UN Security Council thus taking a belated but historical step towards Palestinian statehood. In the wake of the UN vote, President Abbas paid his first official visit abroad to Turkey. This was a quid pro quo for the active role Turkey played during the voting process. Turkey, on the one hand, paved the way for the Palestinian State to reach the position it deserves in diplomacy through the diplomatic protocol it applied to Abbas and his delegation while it, on the other hand, strengthened efforts towards reconciliation and unity between Palestinian groups.

TURKEY’S CONTRIBUTIONS

Abbas’ visit to Turkey immediately after people were questioning whether Turkey exaggerates its role in the UN vote on Palestine brought up a question: “Are criticisms about Turkish foreign policy exaggerated? With Palestinian authorities’ own words, Turkey is one of the leading countries that actively lobbied for Palestine in the UN and it was symbolic that Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoğlu attended the UN General Assembly— where none of the Arab Ministers of Foreign Affairs physically attended—and delivered an eloquent speech.

Turkey made two major contributions to this process. First of all, Turkey encouraged Palestinian authorities to take a step towards upgrading their status despite threats from the United States and Israel. This was because Turkey believed that status upgrade will strengthen Palestine’s hand despite possible criticisms and this will positively influence the power imbalance between Israel and Palestine. Second of all, Turkey lobbied for Palestine and tried to get support in favor of Palestine at the UN General Assembly. Turkey even called leaders and asked them to vote in favor of the Palestinian state. This support was clearly seen in the speeches Abbas delivered during his visit to Turkey.

“UNITY” IN PALESTINE IS A MUST

Turkey, on the other hand, argues that current conditions are not favorable for the resolution of long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict—which is one of the greatest obstacles to permanent peace in the Middle East—and wishes to see a strong Palestine at the negotiation table. The biggest obstacle to this is the Fatah-Hamas rivalry and reconciliation between the two in Palestine requires strenuous efforts.

Turkey increased its influence over Hamas in the period following Hamas’ election victory and Hamas Leader Khaled Mashal’s controversial visit to Ankara, and it supported Hamas during the 2008 Gaza attack and established strong relations with Hamas in the period during and after the Mavi Marmara attack. During the Arab Spring process when Hamas also left Syria, Turkey increased its persuasive power on Hamas.

Turkey traditionally maintained good relations with Fatah, other party of the rivalry; however, problems have arisen between the two from time to time due to Turkey’s relations with Hamas. The end of Hosni Mubarak’s Egypt, traditional protector of Fatah, Israel’s strategic mistakes and increasing importance of Hamas in the wake of the Arab Spring urged Fatah to establish relations with a country as Turkey which both supports Palestinian cause and exerts influence over Hamas. Due to its support in the UN vote—which will mostly boost the political support Fatah receives in domestic politics—Turkey gained a strong position in the eye of Fatah. In the wake of the UN vote, unity between Fatah and Hamas became much more crucial. It will not be possible to see a strong Palestine at the negotiation table if the disaccord in Palestine continues as desired by Israel. Turkey—which maintains good relations with both parties—will be the most active actor in the reconciliation process in Palestine together with Egypt.

Translated by Gülgün Kozan K&ouml