Türkiye’s Identity Tensions and Behavioral Logic in the Israeli-Palestinian Issue

This paper examines Türkiye’s identity tensions and behavioural logic in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As both a NATO member and an Islamic state, Türkiye’s multiple identities generate three layers of tension in its policy-making: religious versus secular, historical versus realistic, and geopolitical versus ideological. These tensions produce a complex behavioural logic operating on three levels. Drawing on rationalist logic of consequences, Türkiye flexibly adjusts its strategies between supporting Palestine and cooperating with Israel based on national interests. Through constructivist logic of appropriateness, shifts in Türkiye’s self-identity have profoundly shaped its policy. Via practice-theoretical logic of balancing, Türkiye adopts hedging policies while leaning towards one side, seeking diplomatic equilibrium. Looking ahead, Türkiye’s Israeli-Palestinian policy will continue evolving alongside its shifting Western and Islamic identities, with policy contradictions persisting in the short term but gradually stabilising in the long run to protect its stable development and diverse interests.

Proposition · Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies · Middle East Politics and Society · Turkey's Politics and Society