Turkey 2026: Precisely now Israel can launch a campaign against Hamas's host

Amit Yagor argues that Turkey under Erdogan has become Iran's undeclared successor in the anti-Israel arena, by harboring Hamas and engaging in institutional incitement. Alongside the threat, the article identifies a strategic window of opportunity for Israel due to Turkey's internal weakness, economic crises, and distancing from Europe. Yagor calls for appointing a government operator to coordinate the diplomatic, legal, and image campaign against Ankara.

Amit Yagor argues in an opinion piece that Turkey under Recep Tayyip Erdogan has become Iran's undeclared successor in the anti-Israel arena, providing political and public patronage to Hamas. He notes that during the week marking three years since October 7, 2023, Turkey hosted a Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya, and Erdogan accused Israel of 'genocide'. A poll by ASAL Research ranks Israel first as the main enemy in Turkish public perception (83%). Alongside the threat, Yagor identifies a strategic opportunity: Turkey suffers from inflation of about 31%, waves of opposition arrests, European ostracism (a European Parliament decision against the Muslim Brotherhood), and a high rate of youth not working or studying. He calls on Israel to shift to political activism, expose the 'Turkish world' map in schools, leverage the European decision, and appoint a government operator to coordinate the campaign against Ankara.