NODAL POINTS OF TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY AND CHANGE IN TURKISH DISCOURSE ABOUT THE PALESTINIAN ISSUE IN AK PARTY ERA
NODAL POINTS OF TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY AND CHANGE IN TURKISH DISCOURSE ABOUT THE PALESTINIAN ISSUE IN AK PARTY ERA

Summary/Abstract: This study assumes that in the early years of Turkish Republic, the discourse about the Palestinian issue was weak, and the nodal point of the Turkish Foreign Policy was Westernization with negative perceptions about Arabs. However, there has been a radical shift about Turkey’s sensitivities and affiliations to the Middle East during AK party era. Accordingly, the discourse about Arabs started to change from negative to positive, with domination of pro-Palestinian discourse. Using discourse theories of poststructuralism about hegemon discourse and antagonism, it will be concluded that before AK party era, discourses about Israel and Palestinian issue collided due to the existence of two opposing identities which are Western identity and Islamic identity. While in AK party era this antagonism in discourses dissolved through hegemonic interventions of pro-Islamic and Middle Eastern identity. As well, the discourse of civilization, historical responsibility and ownership of Palestinian issue dominated the Turkish foreign policy towards Middle East.

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