Turkey has been blocking cooperation between NATO and Israel since the start of the war in Gaza and has told constituent nations that the policy will remain until there is a conclusion to the conflict, several sources told Reuters on Thursday.
The news agency reported that since the start of military operations in the coastal enclave, Ankara has vetoed all engagement and exercises with Israeli defense forces.
During a Washington NATO summit in July, Turkish President Recep Erdogan called for the termination of any partnerships between Jerusalem and the alliance before accusing the IDF of committing war crimes.
Earlier this week, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, called on the countries that participate in the treaty to expel Turkey from the organization after Erdogan made remarks to members of his political party suggesting that he was considering invading the Jewish state.
Since 2016, Israel has been recognized as a NATO partner and maintains a permanent office at the coalition’s headquarters in Brussels.
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