As we commemorate Anzac Day, and the fallen Australian soldiers who fought and lost their lives at Gallipoli, now more than ever Australia needs to reassess its security relationship with Turkey.
Why? Over the weekend, Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan met with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Istanbul, to discuss the situation in Gaza. This followed a public proclamation he made last October, that Hamas was not a terrorist organisation.
Remember, Australia and many other countries have listed Hamas as a terrorist organisation. Furthermore, Hamas is a designated entity subject to counter-terrorism financing sanctions under Australian law.
Hamas has had an office in Turkey since 2011, and Turkey provides financial and logistical support to Hamas. According to the Israel security agency Shin Bet, Hamas has established a command post in Turkey which it uses to recruit operatives and oversee operations in the Middle East.
Yet the diplomatic relationship between Australia and Turkey covers substantial dialogue across a wide range of issues, including defence and counter-terrorism.
Late last year, the Australian government signed the Security Agreement on the Protection of Classified Information with the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation, known as OCCAR. One of the non-member states participating is Turkey. One should question what type of information is being accessed by this country which has close links with a terrorist listed organisation.
It is inconceivable, and incomprehensible, that Australia would cooperate on counter-terrorism with any other country which has a relationship with a listed terrorist organisation. This in itself is a security risk.
During an election rally in 2019, Erdoğan showed footage from the Christchurch terrorist attack and said anyone who came to Turkey with anti-Islamic sentiments would be sent back in coffins ‘like their grandfathers were’ inferring the Gallipoli 1915 campaign.
The sad coincidence of April 25, 1915, is on its eve – Armenian leaders were arrested in Istanbul, culminating in the Armenian genocide perpetrated by the then Ottoman Empire in Turkey resulting in the deaths of 1.5 million Armenian women, men, and children.
Australian governments over decades from either side of the political divide have claimed that our close relationships, such as those with Turkey, are based on shared values.
When it comes to security, these are not shared or aligned. It’s time to reassess the security relations with Turkey.
Sassoon Grigorian is a former political adviser
