25.08.2025 22:53
Israel's Maariv newspaper described Turkey's opening of a consulate in Benghazi and its recognition of the Khalifa Haftar administration as "an important step towards reviving the Ottoman Empire." The analysis emphasized that this move aims to strengthen Turkey's power in the Eastern Mediterranean, increase its influence in Libya, and support the "Blue Homeland" objective.
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The Israeli newspaper Maariv, which publishes in Hebrew, brought to the agenda with a broad analysis Turkey's establishment of diplomatic relations with the Khalifa Haftar administration in eastern Libya and its decision to open a consulate in Benghazi.
The report commented that this step aims to enable Turkey to have a say in the Eastern Mediterranean and to cut off the maritime connections of Greece and Cyprus. The newspaper described this development as a "dramatic" step, comparable to the weakening of the Assad regime in Syria with the support of the opposition.
LIBYA'S CIVIL WAR AND TURKEY'S ROLE
The analysis pointed out that Libya has been in a civil war for about 20 years. It was noted that between 2014 and 2020, Khalifa Haftar received support from the US and Russia, while Turkey changed the balance on the ground by supporting the Tripoli-based government. Maariv reported that the collapse of the Tripoli government was prevented with Turkey's military support, and it was even stated that it is seen by some circles as being under "Turkish tutelage." The report suggested that Turkey's recognition of Haftar aims to obtain the approval of the Eastern Libya government for the maritime jurisdiction agreement signed between Turkey and Libya. It was expressed that this agreement changes the balances in the region by cutting off the maritime continuity between Greece and Cyprus.
"RESTORATION OF CREDIBILITY TO 1912-1919"
Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak, a Turkey expert from the Dayan Center at Tel Aviv University, evaluated the developments. Yanarocak stated, "I call this step by Turkey 'restoration of credibility to the past.' The Turks were in Libya until the wars of 1912-1919. Now they are returning to Tripoli and bringing the 'Blue Homeland' dream to life."
TURKEY'S GOAL: TO BECOME A REGIONAL POWER
The expert also reminded that despite the signing of the maritime jurisdiction agreement with the Western Libya government, it is considered valid for all of Libya at the UN level. Yanarocak emphasized that with this move, Turkey aims to increase its influence in Libya, create a maritime corridor in the Mediterranean, and direct the energy flow through itself. The expert noted that this process would greatly contribute to Turkey's economy and stated that the step is part of a strategy to elevate the country back to a regional power position.
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