Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that Israel represents a threat to global stability, not just to Palestine and Lebanon. Speaking at a meeting of regional branches of his ruling Justice and Development Party, Erdogan accused Israel of operating like a terrorist organisation due to its ongoing aggression in the Gaza Strip and escalating threats against Lebanon, seemingly disregarding international law.
“Israel is the only state in our region that seeks its security through aggression, massacres and the occupation of lands, and acts like a terrorist organisation” Erdogan declared.
Erdogan’s comments reflect growing tensions between Ankara and Tel Aviv. He suggested that Turkey might consider military intervention against Israel, akin to its previous actions in Libya and the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
“We do not violate the rights of others, nor do we allow anyone to violate our rights, and we will not leave our brothers [the Palestinians] alone and helpless in their most difficult days,” Erdogan stated. “Gaza today has turned into the world’s largest death camp. The State of Israel is a threat not only to Palestine and Lebanon, but to humanity as a whole. The [Israeli] genocide, this cruelty and barbarism must be stopped immediately before it is too late. How many more thousands of children must die to make one see that Israel’s aggressive policies are a threat to the entire region?”
In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning, suggesting that Erdogan could face a fate similar to that of Saddam Hussein, the former Iraqi leader who was executed in 2006.