Erdogan’s words hit Israel’s global image: Türkiye grows stronger in region
A notable assessment of Türkiye's rising power has come from Israeli media.
An Israeli academic said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's strong statements on Gaza have damaged Israel's global image, while Ankara has been skillfully using its geopolitical advantages to steadily expand its regional influence.
The Israeli newspaper Maariv published remarks by international relations expert Prof. Yossi Shain.
- Turkey
- Published Date: 12:10 | 02 July 2026
- Modified Date: 12:14 | 02 July 2026
Shain said Türkiye has recently increased its regional influence and that this poses a serious strategic challenge for Israel.
Prof. Shain, who teaches at Georgetown University and Tel Aviv University, said the balance of power in the Middle East is being reshaped following developments in Iran.
"The war in Iran has not yet ended. In this process, Türkiye is growing stronger, and the Gulf countries are also reassessing their relations with the United States," he said.
The Israeli academic said Ankara is making effective use of its current geopolitical position, adding: "Türkiye is becoming an increasingly influential actor in the region by skillfully using its geopolitical advantages."
According to Maariv, Shain said Türkiye's rise is being watched with concern in Israel.
"Next week, Türkiye will host NATO's 32 members, with Trump also attending. Türkiye is becoming a strong regional power and poses an extremely serious challenge for us," he said.
Shain also said Israel is facing a serious reputational challenge in the international arena.
The academic said Türkiye's sharp criticism of Israel over Gaza is putting pressure on the Israeli government, adding that Israel's global image has been significantly damaged in recent months.
He also said Türkiye is likely to grow even stronger in the new regional equation taking shape in the Middle East, adding: "Türkiye's stance toward Israel is becoming increasingly harsh."
The remarks reported by Maariv suggest that Türkiye's growing diplomatic and regional influence is being closely watched in Israel, with Ankara's rising power seen by Tel Aviv as a strategic challenge.