TÜRKİYE ORTA ASYA HABER KKUORDİNATÖRÜ

IFJ-INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF JOURNALİST political pressures, their connection to Türkiye remained significant. Some of the wealthier and more politically engaged members of the Turkish Jewish diaspora in Israel established the first Turkish-speaking Masonic lodge in Israel, highlighting their continued ties to their cultural origins. The large-scale migration of Turkish Jews to Israel had long-term diplomatic consequences. The Turkish government’s recognition of Israel in 1949 was, in part, influenced by the existence of a substantial Turkish-Jewish diaspora in Israel. Unlike other Muslim-majority nations, Türkiye sought to maintain economic and political ties with Israel, despite regional pressures. Additionally, in later decades, Turkish Jews in Israel played a role in mediating diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries. Türkiye’s decision to grant dual citizenship to Turkish citizens residing abroad further strengthened these connections. By the late 20th century, Turkish-Israeli relations had evolved into a strategic partnership, with historical migration patterns serving as one of its foundational elements. The Establishment of Israel in 1948 and Türkiye’s Recognition Before World War II (WWII), Türkiye adopted a neutral stance in global affairs, prioritizing regional stability and diplomatic balance. This approach was evident in Türkiye’s participation in multilateral agreements such as the Sadabad Pact (1937) and the Balkan Entente (1934), both of which aimed to prevent external interventions and promote peace in the region. The İnönü government (1938-1950) maintained this policy of non-alignment, deliberately avoiding commitments to either the Western or Soviet blocs. During the 1945–1947 period, Türkiye generally aligned itself with Arab states regarding the Palestine question, particularly within the framework of United Nations (UN) deliberations. Türkiye voted against the 1947 UN Partition Plan, which proposed the division of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. However, by 1948, with increasing Western influence, Ankara began shifting its position towards a more proWestern orientation. This policy realignment led to the eventual recognition of Israel in 1949, despite Türkiye’s previous reservations regarding Zionist ambitions. Türkiye was one of the earliest countries to establish official diplomatic relations with Israel, yet its approach was initially cautious. Unlike many Western European nations that immediately recognized Israel’s sovereignty, Türkiye adopted a "wait and see" policy, only extending full diplomatic recognition on March 28, 1949 nearly a year after Israel’s establishment. Initially, Türkiye’s diplomatic mission in Israel was not at the ambassadorial level but rather a "Legation," with Türkiye appointing a Minister instead of an Ambassador (Güvendiren, 1999:173). This indicated a measured and careful approach, reflecting Türkiye’s desire to maintain a diplomatic balance between its ties with Israel and its relationships with Arab nations. Despite this deliberate diplomatic caution, Türkiye’s eventual recognition of Israel marked a significant geopolitical shift. As Türel Yılmaz (2016) argues, the recognition of Israel was not an isolated event but rather part of a broader strategic realignment aimed at securing Türkiye’s position within the Western bloc. In this context, Türkiye’s foreign Almira Sinemis Şekerci Hayali Journal of International Crises and Policy Research e-ISSN: 2587-1269 129 policy evolved from Arab-aligned neutrality in the late 1940s to a pro-Western stance that prioritized security, economic, and military cooperation with key international actors. Türkiye’s move towards recognizing Israel was also influenced by its Cold War security concerns. Ankara feared Soviet expansionism and sought alignment with the United States (US) and NATO. By recognizing Israel, Türkiye aimed to strengthen its ties with Washington and gain access to Western economic and military aid. Bölükbaşı (1999:22) argues that Türkiye’s initial reluctance towards Zionism stemmed from a misconception that Israel was aligned with the Soviet Union. However, once it became clear that Israel was firmly positioned within the Western camp, Ankara reconsidered its stance. Türkiye’s Geopolitical Realignment in the Early Cold War Era Türkiye’s decision to recognize Israel in 1949 cannot be understood in isolation; rather, it must be viewed as part of a broader geopolitical realignment during the early Cold War period, in which Ankara redefined its foreign policy in response to Soviet pressure and aspirations for Western integration. Within this context, Türkiye’s strategic engagement with Israel was shaped by multiple factors, including: 1. Western Integration: Türkiye sought to strengthen its ties with the US and Western Europe, particularly as it aimed to secure membership in NATO (which was eventually achieved in 1952). The Tru