Summary
Israel and Egypt have had the self-governing Palestinian territory of Gaza under comprehensive blockade since 2007. Turkey, a long-time critic of the blockade — especially in the wake of the 2010 flotilla crisis, when Turkish-Israeli relations reached a new low — has refused to discuss diplomatic reconciliation with Israel until the obstruction is lifted. To that end, quiet negotiations have been underway for months to resolve the issue and repair ties. Progress has been scant since February, but now a tentative agreement appears close. On April 15, Turkey’s presidential adviser announced that Israel had consented to lift its blockade on the Gaza Strip and that a deal will soon be finalized.
Analysis
The blockade began in 2007 after Hamas took control of Gaza. It has been the subject of intense debate ever since. Turkey has insisted that the blockade imperils Gaza’s 1.8 million residents. Israel contends that lifting the blockade would allow Hamas to bring in weapons and other materials, making Israel more vulnerable to attack. But Israel has become aware that the blockade has largely failed to undermine Hamas. Moreover, the blockade has compounded anti-Israeli sentiment among Palestinians and has helped galvanize support for Islamist militant groups. And beyond Turkey’s scorn, international condemnation has increased pressure on Israel to end the blockade.
Port Support
One proposed solution to the blockade problem would be to establish a port on a manmade island several kilometers off the Gaza Strip’s coast. A bridge with a checkpoint would connect the island to Gaza. Israel would handle maritime security and port inspections, while supervision of the port itself would be under international control. From this independent port, goods and people could enter and leave the Gaza Strip. There is even talk of including an airport.
The Gaza seaport is an idea that has been gaining traction, but it is not a new idea. It was originally conceived as part of the 1993 Oslo Accords, and construction contracts were signed as early as 1994. But initial disagreements over the port’s operation and security arrangements stalled its development. Progress was made — and in 2000, construction actually began — after the signing of the Sharm el-Sheikh Memorandum in 1999. But further headway was postponed indefinitely when the partially completed port was bombed during the second intifada.
The port has been discussed repeatedly in the years since, although it is still contentious in Israel. In response to Israel’s lingering concerns about an independent Gaza port, alternative proposals have been made, including building a port in Egypt or using existing ports in Cyprus or Ashdod. Of course, given their tense relationship, Egypt would probably not allow Turkey to build a port on its territory, and Turkey likely would not consider a port in Ashdod to be enough of a concession.
Turkey’s objective in the Gaza seaport is as much about the humanitarian needs of Gaza’s residents as it is about increasing its influence in the Palestinian territories and in the Middle East as a whole. By offering support to Gaza, Ankara earns credibility as a regional power player.
Turkey sees the Gaza port as an economic opportunity, too. Turkish companies could build the port and other infrastructure projects in Gaza. Israel allowed a large group of Turkish businessmen in the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges to visit Gaza in early February to explore these opportunities. The business group is preparing to submit a $5 billion rebuilding plan, of which $3.5 billion would go to Gaza and $1.5 billion would go to Ramallah. In addition, Turkish, Israeli and Palestinian officials have been discussing plans for a trade zone in the West Bank.
Potential Problems
But not everyone in the region is as enthusiastic about the prospect. For example, the Israeli government has not endorsed the port; Netanyahu has, in fact, expressed disapproval for the project. Egypt and the Palestinian Authority are wary of increased Turkish influence in the Gaza Strip. And the Palestinian Authority resents the fact that it was excluded from initial negotiations on the port, which began in December. It is also unhappy that, in the absence of a unity government, it would not be able to control Gaza’s maritime route. For its part, Egypt worries that the port would strengthen and legitimize Hamas. Cairo is also suspicious of Ankara because of Turkish support for Muslim Brotherhood groups. Since Egypt’s 2013 coup, in which Muslim Brotherhood President Mohammed Morsi was overthrown, the two countries have been at odds.
Despite the ongoing controversy, the measure could prove to be the breakthrough that will allow Israel and Turkey to resume their relationship at last. At the same time, the solution is imperfect. Opportunities for further disputes over the port’s construction and security management abound. And as Turkey works with Hamas, a group that Israel considers a threat, on developments in Gaza, the countries may find their relationship further strained.
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