Is Israel Undermining Turkey’s Peace Process? Ankara Fears PKK Links Amid Iran Conflict

Synopsis:
As the Israel–Iran war intensifies, Ankara is increasingly concerned that Tel Aviv may be undermining Turkey’s domestic peace process with the PKK. MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli has openly accused Israel of attempting to sabotage Turkey’s “No-Terror Türkiye” initiative. Meanwhile, Turkish diplomacy is in full swing to contain regional fallout, especially as pro-Kurdish separatist groups signal alignment with Israeli objectives in Iran.

Bahçeli: “Israel’s Real Target is a Terror-Free Türkiye”

Amid the rising tensions between Israel and Iran, Turkish nationalist leader Devlet Bahçeli issued a stern warning: Israel’s strategic goal, he claimed, is not merely weakening Iran but derailing Ankara’s peace efforts with the PKK. “Israel’s lifeblood is war, aggression, and destruction,” Bahçeli said, denouncing the violence in Gaza and warning of Israel’s broader regional ambitions.

Bahçeli criticized Israel’s June 13 airstrikes on Iran, stating they were plunging the world into fear and destabilizing an already fragile geopolitical environment. “The growing chaos is eroding the global conscience and exposing the primal, violent instincts of the modern age,” he added.

Fears of a New Nuclear-Driven War

Bahçeli’s most alarming claim: the Israel–Iran conflict may be laying the groundwork for a future nuclear conflict. “What we’re witnessing is not just regional escalation,” he said. “This may well be the infrastructure for a nuclear-triggered global war.”

He labeled Israel as “the hired gun of global imperialism” and “an unrepentant enemy of regional peace,” accusing it of intentionally sabotaging Turkish-led peace efforts with Kurdish groups.

Gaza Still Bleeding

Bahçeli also addressed ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza, calling the civilian casualties “unforgettable crimes.” He argued that no other state flouts international law, ethics, and human rights with the same brazenness as Israel. He called on global powers—including the U.S.—to support diplomatic efforts instead of fueling more war.

Turkey’s Peace Process Under Pressure

The conflict is unfolding at a delicate moment for Ankara. Turkey is attempting to broker a historic disarmament agreement with the PKK, encouraging the group to abandon armed struggle in favor of integration into the parliamentary system—a process dubbed “Terror-Free Türkiye.”

According to political analyst Murat Yetkin, Israel’s military campaign risks derailing this progress. He notes that pro-Kurdish separatist groups in Iran were among the first to express support for Israel’s attack on Tehran, reinforcing fears in Ankara that Israel may be trying to use Kurdish groups as regional proxies.

Erdoğan’s Diplomacy: A Race Against Time

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump on two consecutive days, June 14 and 15, seeking ways to de-escalate the conflict. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has also engaged with his Russian and British counterparts in shuttle diplomacy. Like the Ukraine-Russia war, the Israel–Iran confrontation threatens both Turkey’s security and its economic interests.

PKK’s Response Signals Trouble

Before the Israeli strikes, the PKK reportedly delivered two messages to Ankara:

1. The proposed disarmament would not apply to its Iranian and Syrian branches (like PJAK or YPG).

2. Disarmament would only be possible if Turkey offered legal and political guarantees.

After June 13, however, Israeli rhetoric shifted from nuclear deterrence to regime change in Iran—a move that reportedly emboldened Iranian Kurdish separatist groups and may influence the PKK’s posture moving forward.

What’s at Stake?

If the conflict delays or derails the PKK’s disarmament decision—which Ankara had hoped to finalize after July 1—it could set back Turkey’s most significant peace initiative in years. Bahçeli emphasized that Turkey must remain vigilant: “Our geography demands constant readiness. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.”

Analysts warn that Kurdish militants may stall negotiations to extract last-minute concessions from the Turkish government during the crisis. Yetkin argues that Turkey must persist in its diplomatic messaging regardless of setbacks, noting: “Israel does not want this process to succeed—neither does Iran.”

A Historic Opportunity at Risk

Despite the pessimism, Murat Yetkin believes the “Terror-Free Türkiye” initiative remains viable—especially if it gains institutional support. He urges parliament speaker Numan Kurtulmuş to form a commission before the legislative recess to ensure progress continues during the summer.

If this moment is lost, Yetkin warns, the Israel–Iran crisis could sabotage one of the most promising windows for Kurdish integration and national reconciliation in Turkey’s modern history.

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