On September 19, the German Marshall Fund of the United States hosted former Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) to discuss the recent downgrade in Turkish-Israeli relations within the context of the transatlantic relationship. Joshua W. Walker, GMF Transatlantic Fellow, welcomed Congressman Wexler as one of the most important American leaders identified as a friend of both Turkey and Israel.

Congressman Wexler stated he was not surprised by the escalation of tensions between the two countries, but that he thought it was avoidable. He called the current  conflict between Turkey and Israel “an astonishing distraction at best and a calamity at its worst,” given the swift deterioration of the relationship between two of the Middle East’s most important democracies and U.S. allies. While blame was laid on both Prime Minister Erdogan and Prime Minister Netanyhu for domestic posturing and poor leadership, Congressman Wexler said the Obama administration had done everything right and had “bent over backwards” to avoid this situation. Political expediency and poor judgment in both Ankara and Jerusalem trumped common sense. He called Erdogan’s rhetoric and tour of the Middle East “inflammatory and poisonous” while he said things look the most ominous for Israel that he has ever seen in his lifetime. Congressman Wexler harshly critiqued Europe for not having a unified position on the Palestinian question and the lack of constructive engagement in the Middle East peace process. 

During a question and answer session following the presentation, Congressman Wexler graded both Erdogan and Netanyahu a “D” for poor judgment, but not complete failure. Congressman Wexler was optimistic in terms of a long-term effort for collaboration, though acknowledging things will get worse in the short-term.

To listen to a podcast between Dr. Walker and Congressman Wexler, click here.