Türkiye denied airspace access to an Israeli military aircraft en route to Azerbaijan, where the two countries were set to hold technical-level talks amid growing tensions in Syria.

The move, widely interpreted as a protest against Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza, reflects Ankara’s firm stance against Tel Aviv’s crimes and its unyielding support for the Palestinian cause.

The Israeli delegation, which included high-ranking defense and security officials, was forced to reroute its journey after Türkiye refused to grant permission for the aircraft to transit its airspace. Israeli media outlet KAN confirmed the incident, citing Turkish concerns about the ongoing war on Gaza as the reason behind the denial.

This unprecedented step comes amid global outrage over Israel’s brutal siege and bombardment of the Gaza Strip, which has left tens of thousands dead and displaced many more. Türkiye’s action sends a clear message: normalization with a regime engaged in ethnic cleansing and war crimes is unacceptable.

The denied flight clearance was not just a logistical complication—it was a symbolic blow to Israel’s attempts to maintain business-as-usual diplomacy while committing atrocities. Türkiye’s bold move sets a precedent in regional diplomacy, reaffirming that cooperation cannot continue under the shadow of genocide.

Despite the airspace dispute, both Israeli and Turkish officials confirmed that the meeting in Baku proceeded, though it ended without agreement. The talks, centered on creating a deconfliction mechanism in Syria, remain overshadowed by the broader political and moral gulf between the two sides.

“The first technical meeting was held yesterday (April 9) in Azerbaijan to establish a deconfliction mechanism to avoid unwanted incidents in Syria,” the Turkish Defense Ministry stated during its weekly briefing. However, Ankara remained silent on the airspace denial, letting its actions speak louder than words.

Israel’s National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi led the Israeli side, accompanied by defense ministry officials. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office acknowledged the Baku meeting but avoided commenting on the airspace restriction.

The incident follows weeks of escalating confrontation between the two countries. Israeli airstrikes in Syria, including a provocative attack on the Tiyas (T-4) airbase—where Türkiye reportedly plans to establish a facility—have inflamed the situation. Simultaneously, Türkiye has increased its diplomatic offensive against Israel’s war in Gaza, emerging as a leading Muslim voice against the occupation.

Since the fall of the Assad regime in December, Israeli forces have expanded operations in southern Syria and the Golan Heights, in violation of international agreements. Türkiye has condemned these moves, calling them dangerous escalations that threaten regional peace.

By denying access to its airspace, Türkiye delivered a message that resonated across the Muslim world: complicity with genocide is not welcome in Turkish skies. The move was praised by pro-Palestinian groups and rights organizations as a courageous stance in a time of moral crisis.

As the Gaza war rages on, Türkiye has not only taken a lead in humanitarian support but is also leveraging its diplomatic influence to hold Israel accountable—on the ground, in the air, and at the negotiating table. (ILKHA)