Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has escalated tensions with Israel by threatening potential military intervention, drawing sharp criticism from Israeli officials. Speaking at a gathering of his ruling AKP party in Rize, Erdogan stated, ‘Just as we went into Nagorno-Karabakh, just as we went into Libya, we will do the same with them,’ referring to Israel. The Turkish leader emphasized the need for Turkey to be strong enough to deter Israel from actions against Palestinians, praising Turkey’s progress in its defense industry.Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz responded forcefully to Erdogan’s threat, comparing him to former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. ‘Erdogan is following in the footsteps of Saddam Hussein and threatening to attack Israel. He should just remember what happened there and how it ended,’ Katz warned. This reference to Hussein, who was overthrown and executed following the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, was seen as a thinly veiled threat.The exchange marks a new low in Turkish-Israeli relations, which have deteriorated significantly since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October 2023. Erdogan has previously described Hamas as a ‘liberation organization’ and compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler. In response to the escalating tensions, Turkey cut all trade relations with Israel in May 2024.The international community, particularly NATO members, has been urged to condemn Erdogan’s threats and pressure him to cease support for Hamas. As diplomatic efforts continue to prevent a regional war, concerns grow about the potential for further escalation in an already volatile Middle East.
Key points
- Turkish President Erdogan threatened military intervention against Israel, citing past actions in Nagorno-Karabakh and Libya.
- Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz responded by comparing Erdogan to Saddam Hussein, warning of potential consequences.
- The exchange has further deteriorated Turkish-Israeli relations, already strained due to the ongoing Gaza conflict.
- International community, especially NATO members, urged to condemn Erdogan’s threats and pressure Turkey to stop supporting Hamas.
Contradictions👾While most sources report Erdogan’s statement as a threat of military intervention, some interpret it as a more general statement about Turkey’s strength and deterrence capabilities.
