The Mediterranean Sea, a historic cradle of civilization and commerce, is being turned into a hostile zone by an aspiring sultan’s geopolitical ambitions.
Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey is not merely engaging in a diplomatic spat with Israel; it is enacting a new, informal maritime policy that amounts to a de facto naval blockade. This isn’t just a trade dispute — it is a dangerous escalation driven by Erdoğan’s radical Islamist agenda, a move that betrays international norms and undermines regional stability.
Have Nothing to Do with That Nation
Recent reports from shipping and port authorities paint a clear and disturbing picture. Though no official circular has been issued, Turkish ports are now informally demanding that shipping agents provide written guarantees that their vessels, owners, and managers have no ties to Israel. They must also declare that the ships are not carrying military or hazardous cargo destined for the country. This verbal-but-enforced directive is effectively barring Israeli-linked vessels from Turkish ports, choking off a vital maritime artery and imposing a unilateral and illegal blockade.
For years, Erdoğan has been steadily ratcheting up his anti-Israel rhetoric, leveraging the conflict in Gaza to bolster his domestic political standing and position himself as a champion of the Muslim world. His vitriolic accusations, likening Israel to a “war criminal” and its leaders to Nazis, are not just inflammatory — they represent a deliberate strategy to delegitimize the Jewish state.
This latest maritime maneuver is the logical, chilling next step in this campaign. It moves beyond words and into action, creating a direct and tangible threat to Israeli security and economy.
Flouting International Law
This policy is a betrayal on multiple levels.
First and foremost, it betrays the spirit of international maritime law, which upholds the principles of freedom of navigation and unhindered trade. By using its ports as a weapon, Turkey is flouting these norms and setting a dangerous precedent for other nations. This isn’t just about Israeli ships; it’s about the very foundation of global commerce and the free flow of goods. If Turkey can do this to Israel with impunity, what’s to stop other nations from imposing similar blockades on their adversaries?
Secondly, it betrays Turkey’s role as a member of NATO. As a key ally in the alliance, Ankara is expected to be a force for stability, not a source of reckless provocation in the Eastern Mediterranean. While NATO has historically been slow to address internal tensions, this is a clear case of a member state actively working to destabilize a crucial strategic region. Erdoğan’s actions directly benefit anti-Western, anti-democratic forces in the Middle East — primarily Iran and its proxies. While Yemen’s Houthis are disrupting global shipping in the Red Sea, Erdoğan is mirroring their tactics in a different theater, proving that the threat to maritime security is not limited to a single geography.
The motivations behind this move are rooted in Erdoğan’s ideological obsession. His Justice and Development Party (AKP) has a deep-seated affinity for the Muslim Brotherhood, and his personal support for Hamas is well-documented. He has repeatedly refused to label Hamas a terrorist organization, instead calling it a “liberation movement.” This is not the language of a pragmatist seeking peace; it is the rhetoric of a leader who sees the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the prism of a “crusader vs. crescent” civilizational struggle. His actions are not a reaction to a specific policy; they are a manifestation of a fundamental, almost messianic, vision that seeks to undermine Israel’s existence.
Consequences
This informal blockade will have serious consequences. While Turkey’s previous decision to halt a $7 billion annual trade with Israel was a significant economic blow, this latest policy adds a new layer of friction and risk for global shipping companies. It complicates supply chains, increases insurance costs, and creates an environment of operational uncertainty. For Israel, it is a clear message that Turkey is not a partner, but a determined adversary.
The international community must not remain silent. The United States and European nations, in particular, must recognize this for what it is: an act of aggression from a supposed ally. Ignoring this behavior will only embolden Erdoğan to take more drastic steps. Sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and a firm, coordinated response are necessary to show that such a blatant violation of international law and a direct threat to a democratic ally will not be tolerated.
The Mediterranean Sea, which has for millennia connected peoples and cultures, is now a stage for Erdoğan’s anti-Israel crusade. His informal naval blockade is a stark reminder that his agenda is not about peace or justice, but about the dangerous pursuit of regional dominance and the relentless delegitimization of the State of Israel. It is a betrayal that demands a resolute and unified response.
Amine Ayoub is a policy analyst and writer based in Morocco.
