Erdogan’s opponents see these statements as more for media consumption, while his supporters see them as necessary in light of Israel’s right-wing government’s tendency towards military escalation everywhere. So what is the importance of Erdogan’s call? And how possible is it to be achieved?
Erdogan..and the call to establish an Islamic alliance
A remarkable call was made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to establish an Islamic alliance against Israel, to stop arrogance, as he put it. Erdogan did not reveal the details of his vision regarding the alliance, but he described it as necessary.
Israel described this call as incitement and a lie.
Erdogan said during an event for the Association of Islamic Schools that an alliance must be formed against what he described as the growing expansionist Israeli threat.
Erdogan’s proposal included:
– Confronting “Israeli expansion”.
– Improving relations with Egypt and Syria to create “solidarity”.
– An alliance that begins with Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon and Syria.
– Stop “Israel’s criminal behavior.”
– A step to stop “Israel’s arrogance.”
For its part, Israel did not delay in responding, as its Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, described Erdogan’s statements as a dangerous lie and incitement, saying that Israel is defending its borders and citizens against its enemies, whom he described as the axis of evil.
The Israeli minister accused Erdogan of continuing to throw the Turkish people into the fire of hatred and violence, for the sake of his friends in Hamas, saying that he has been working for years with Iran to undermine moderate regimes, according to him.
Erdogan’s statements are expected to further strain his country’s relations with Israel, which have been improving significantly since 2020. Erdogan announced his intention to visit Israel, and met with its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York, but the Gaza war has soured these relations.
Erdogan’s statements were not the only ones in which he threatened Israel, as he threatened a few weeks ago to intervene in the Palestinian crisis, as he did in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and Libya.
Erdogan added in a speech at the time that there was no reason to prevent Turkey from doing so, noting that Ankara must be strong in order to be able to take these steps.
Regarding this file, Dr. Bekir Atagan, Director of the Istanbul Center for Thought, spoke to Sky News Arabia:
- For a long time, Turkey has wanted to create peace between Israel and the Palestinian parties, but the extremist government in Israel, under pretexts and excuses, evades this.
- It has become clear that Benjamin Netanyahu wants to secure the seat, even at the cost of destroying the region, so Erdogan’s plan is in place.
Former diplomat Meir Cohen said:
- Israel has nothing against Turkey. The reasons for the tension in relations are that Turkey feels that it is outside the events and has no role in mediation.
- Türkiye easily holds Israel responsible for the situation, but it is afraid to place the blame on the real culprit, which is Iran.
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