Part 2/7:
Israel and Turkey's relationship dates back over centuries, tracing roots from the Ottoman Empire, which once encompassed much of the Middle East. Following the Second World War, Turkey became the first Muslim-majority nation to recognize Israel in 1949, establishing diplomatic ties fueled by shared geopolitical interests during the escalating tensions of the Cold War.
In the decades that followed, the two nations built strong ties, particularly noted during the 1990s—a period often referred to as the "golden age" of Turkish-Israeli relations. However, impending cracks were evident as Turkish politics began shifting under the rule of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), led by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.