From Allies to Adversaries: The Impact of Identity Change on Turkish–Israeli Relations

ABSTRACT In the late 1990s, Türkiye and Israel established a strategic cooperative relationship that deteriorated after 2000, particularly following Israel's “Operation Cast Lead” in Gaza in 2008. While existing literature has examined several factors influencing Türkiye–Israel relations, including their historical roots and various dimensions, few have focused on the role of state identity change and self‐image. This article seeks to explain the shift from cooperation to conflict by examining identity change as a crucial but often neglected factor in this relationship. The article argues that Türkiye's state identity underwent a significant change during the Justice and Development Party era, contributing to the conflict between Türkiye and Israel since the late 2000s. After briefly reviewing the literature on state identity change in international relations, the article examines the political factors that changed Türkiye's state identity over time. The article then provides four case studies that illustrate the impact of this identity change on Türkiye–Israel relations, including the 1996 Military Training Cooperation Agreement, Israel's Operation Cast Lead in Gaza in 2008, the “Davos incident” in 2009, the 2010 Mavi Marmara crisis, and the early Arab Spring. Finally, the article concludes by analyzing the implications of these case studies for the future of Türkiye–Israel relations.