Politics of National Honor in Turkish-Israeli Relations: An Alternative Account of the Recent Tensions

Abstract

This article seeks to complement the ideological and rationalist accounts of the deterioration of Turkish-Israeli relations in the last decade by focusing on the role of honor politics in exacerbating the tension between Turkey and Israel. Claims to “greatness” and/or “exceptionalism” have made both countries very sensitive to humiliation, while their reciprocal gestures defying each other’s claimed authority and superiority have further aggravated the tensions. Both countries’ desire to place themselves on a higher moral plane and preoccupation with national honor, although it was accentuated differently and gained varying degrees of public resonance in each country, have made it increasingly difficult for both Turkey and Israel to reach a compromise.

Keywords

International Crises, Politics of National Honor, National Pride, Exceptionalism, Turkish-Israeli Relations

Citation

Demirtaş-Bagdonas, Özlem, “Politics of National Honor in Turkish-Israeli Relations: An Alternative Account of the Recent Tensions”, International Relations, Volume 10, No. 38 (Summer 2013), p. 101-125.

Affiliations

• Özlem DEMİRTAŞ-BAGDONAS, Assist. Prof. Dr., Fatih University, Department of International Relations