Skip to main content

Turkish-Israeli Military Ties Damaged by Ergenekon Trial

The Ergenekon trial has made it clear to the decision-makers in Jerusalem that the Turkish army will no longer be able to serve as a bridge between the two countries.
Israel's armed forces Chief Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi (L) and Turkey's Chief of General Staff General Ilker Basbug pose prior to a meeting in Ankara March 15, 2010. Ashkenazi is in Turkey to attend the Global Terrorism and International Cooperation Symposium. REUTERS/Turkish Army Press Office/Handout (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - RTR2BOE7
Read in 

The punishments handed down by the special Turkish tribunal for many of the 275 defendants in the Ergenekon case — the coup plot to overthrow the elected government — have sparked worldwide interest. The trial is seen as a significant and, at the same time, controversial milestone in Turkish history. Columnists and commentators in the Turkish media have analyzed the sentences and their implications from a variety of angles.

It seems that there is little dispute over the necessity of the trial, which was an integral part of the process of democratization and separation between the military establishment and the political system — a process that Turkey had desperately needed and hoped for. The European Union has even set such a process of change as one of the preconditions for the acceptance of Turkey into the Union. However, as the spectrum of defendants and range of charges was expanding, and above all, when the court passed the draconian sentences — several cumulative life sentences and dozens of years of imprisonment — the trial has become another symptom of the malady [besetting Turkey] rather than serving as the sought-after therapy.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.