Tensions between Turkiye and Israel are at a peak. Speaking at the International Conference of Asian Political Parties in Istanbul on April 12, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel of actions against Palestine and Lebanon, and declared Ankara’s readiness to take decisive military steps.
“The bloodstained genocide network continues to kill innocent children, women, and civilians without any rule or principle, ignoring all kinds of human values,” Erdogan told his audience. “Despite the ceasefire, Israel has forced 1.2 million Lebanese to leave their homes, due to attacks on civilian settlements.”
“We must be strong to prevent Israel from doing this to Palestine,” he continued. “Just as we entered Karabakh, just as we entered Libya, we will do the same to them…. There is nothing to prevent us from doing it. We just need to be strong so that we can take these steps.”
On April 13, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan commented that Israel is “unable to live without an enemy,” and would now be targeting Turkiye after Iran. Foreign Minister Fidan stressed the necessity of establishing a security alliance in the region to bolster trust among its countries, something that had also been mentioned by President Erdogan.
