Erdogan’s prospects appear to have been dented by a rise in support for the Islamist New Welfare Party due to its hardline stance against Israel over the Gaza conflict and dissatisfaction with the Islamist-rooted AKP’s handling of the economy, Reuters reports.

Erdogan’s rhetoric against Israel has been harsh but Ankara has maintained commercial ties with Israel, drawing criticism from Welfare, which has tapped into anger among Turks who want the government to be more active in supporting Palestinians.

“If we, the Welfare Party, were in power, Israel would not be able to attack Gaza,” the party’s deputy leader Mehmet Altinoz told Reuters, calling for a trade embargo on Israel. Polls indicate Welfare’s support may have doubled to some 5 per cent, eating into votes that may otherwise have gone to the AKP .