Context
According to reports in the Israeli media, tensions between Turkey and the West increased after the release of a UN report, which suggested that the Israel’s Gaza blockade last May was legal. The blockade which resulted in the interception of a Turkish vessel, led to the deaths of 9 Turkish peace activists. Turkey has already expressed its anger by expelling Israeli ambassador from Ankara and suspending military relations with Israel.
These developments have caused tensions between Turkey and US as the country has been trying to keep the Turkey-Israel ties from worsening. Based on perceptions created by the Israeli media, US officials see Turkey’s harsh stance as a way to distract the population from domestic problems, which includes its weakened economic situation and the tense civil-military relations.
