Turkey’s Erdogan Escalates Anti-Israel Rhetoric With Threat of Intervention – BNN Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is escalating his rhetoric towards Israel, suggesting Turkey might intervene on behalf of Palestinians, presumably with navy assist, in methods just like what it has finished in different conflicts. 

“We should be very sturdy in order that Israel can’t do these items to Palestine,” Erdogan stated in his hometown of Rize on Sunday. “Simply as we entered Karabakh and Libya, we would do the identical right here. There may be nothing we can not do. We should be very sturdy.” 

Erdogan spoke vaguely and made no indication that he was contemplating any direct navy operations within the Israel-Gaza conflict. Nonetheless, his remarks underscore the rising hostility with Israel and will trigger volatility in Turkey’s monetary markets this week.

Israeli Overseas Minister Israel Katz responded to Erdogan’s feedback in a submit on X.

“Erdogan follows within the footsteps of Saddam Hussein and threatens to assault Israel. Simply let him bear in mind what occurred there and the way it ended,” he wrote.

Turkey intervened within the Libyan civil conflict to assist the United Nations-recognized authorities and supported Azerbaijan towards Armenia by supplying arms and conducting joint navy drills in the course of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It additionally has troops different areas it considers in its pursuits, together with Iraq and Syria.

Extra: Mapping the Turkish Navy’s Increasing Footprint: QuickTake

Within the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Erdogan has recalled Turkey’s ambassador and suspended commerce with Israel, and likewise accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of committing genocide. Turkey has additionally been sending humanitarian support to Gaza and facilitating medical therapy for these injured within the battle by permitting them to obtain care in Turkey. Earlier than the conflict, Turkey and Israel had been working to normalize their relations after a decade of tensions.

Learn: Israel Hits Hezbollah for Golan Assault However Eyes Gaza Truce

–With help from Galit Altstein.

(Provides X submit from Israel’s international minister beginning in fourth paragraph.)

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