Palestinians, Kurds, and Muslims between them: war, faith, and the limits of cross-national solidarity

Abstract This article examines how minority groups engaged in armed conflict express solidarity with similarly situated groups elsewhere. While existing research has focused on relations between minorities and majorities, far less is known about cross-minority solidarity in conflict settings. Drawing on an original nationwide survey in Turkey and in-depth interviews with members of parliament, this study analyzes how Kurds perceive the Israel-Palestine conflict in the context of the recent Israel-Hamas war. It argues that although Kurds in Turkey have historically supported the Palestinian cause, recent developments in Turkey and the broader Middle East, along with changes in Palestinian leadership, have complicated this support. The findings demonstrate that cross-minority solidarity is more limited and contingent than is often assumed, even among groups that share a common faith or a history of marginalization. Political ideology, party affiliation, and international alignments play a central role in shaping these attitudes.