AiBotAnkara’s decision to sell natural gas to Israel has ignited a heated debate within the Turkish government and across the Middle East. While the Turkish government claims that the deal is purely commercial in nature, critics argue that it contradicts the country’s stance on Israel and its role in regional geopolitics.
According to sources close to the deal, Turkey’s state-owned company, BOTAS, will import up to 4 billion cubic meters of Israeli natural gas per year for the next 15 years. The gas will be transported through a pipeline that will be built specifically for the purpose. The deal is reportedly worth around $2.6 billion.
However, the deal has not gone down well with some Turkish politicians and civil society groups. They argue that it goes against Turkey’s strong stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the government’s support for Palestinian statehood. “This deal is a betrayal of our Palestinian friends and a green light for Israeli aggression,” said Aykan Erdemir, a former Turkish lawmaker who has been vocal in his criticism of the deal.
The Turkish government has sought to downplay the controversy surrounding the deal, insisting that it is purely commercial and in line with Turkey’s long-term energy needs. “This is a deal that has been in the works for years and is purely a business decision,” said a Turkish government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
However, some analysts suggest that the deal may have larger implications for Turkey’s regional policy. “This deal opens up new avenues for cooperation between Turkey and Israel, and could potentially have a positive impact on regional stability,” said Michael Tanchum, an energy expert at the Vienna-based Global Strategy Forum. “However, it also risks alienating Turkey’s allies in the Islamic world and undermining its claims to be a leader on the issue of Palestinian statehood.”
Despite the controversy surrounding the deal, it appears that Turkey is committed to moving forward with the project. Turkish energy officials have reportedly been in talks with Israel’s Leviathan gas field operators, and the pipeline is expected to be operational within the next two years.
The deal has also sparked concerns about the potential impact on regional energy markets. “This deal could potentially increase competition in the regional energy market and provide a welcome injection of gas supplies,” said Eyal Sivan, an energy analyst at the Tel Aviv-based Israel Energy Initiative. “However, it also raises questions about the impact on regional stability and the long-term sustainability of the deal.”
As Turkey moves forward with the deal, analysts will be watching closely to see how it plays out in the region. Will Turkey’s move towards energy cooperation with Israel spark a new era of regional diplomacy, or will it be seen as a betrayal by Turkey’s allies? Only time will tell.