In recent days, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made threatening statements towards Israel, suggesting military intervention on behalf of the Palestinians. These comments come amid heightened tensions between Israel and various Palestinian groups, particularly Hamas.
On July 28, during a speech in his hometown of Rize, Turkey, Erdogan said: “We must be very strong so that Israel can't do these things to Palestine. Just as we entered Karabakh and Libya, we might do the same here. There is nothing we cannot do. We must be very strong.”
Erdogan has a history of making inflammatory statements against Israel, but his recent comments mark a significant escalation in rhetoric. Some see this as an attempt to divert attention from domestic issues and bolster his popularity among Turkish voters.
Israeli officials have responded with caution, warning that any military intervention would have serious consequences. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz compared Erdogan to former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, who was executed by hanging.
Erdogan has also met with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Istanbul to encourage Palestinians to unite against Israel. He has compared Israel to Nazi Germany and Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler.
It is important to note that Turkey is a member of NATO, and any military intervention on its part could have significant implications for regional stability. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and urging all parties to exercise restraint.