The images of Israeli soldiers shooting Palestinian children in a Turkish state television drama this week were purely fictional. But they have provoked outrage in Israel and reinforced the impression that a long-standing alliance is weakening as Turkey pursues closer ties with Arab neighbours.

The portrayal of Israeli brutality in the drama Separation chimed with the condemnations of Turkish ministers, who this week declared that a decision to exclude Israel from military exercises was linked to public anger at Israel’s policies.