Israel’s top diplomat, in response to comments made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has called in Turkey’s deputy ambassador for a stern reprimand. Erdoğan’s remarks, perceived as a threat against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have sparked significant diplomatic unrest. On social media, Israeli Foreign Minister Katz expressed strong condemnation of Erdoğan’s statements and criticized his support for Hamas, which Israel considers a terrorist organization.
“I ordered the summons of the Turkish deputy ambassador to Israel for a severe reprimand, against the background of Erdoğan’s threats to send Netanyahu to Allah,” – Katz wrote on X.
Erdogan’s statements
At an election rally, Erdoğan threatened Netanyahu, suggesting divine retribution. Additionally, Erdoğan has compared Netanyahu’s government actions in Gaza to those of historical dictators, further inflaming tensions. Despite criticism, Erdoğan has voiced support for Hamas, denying its classification as a terrorist organization and asserting it as a resistance movement.
Netanyahu’s rebuttal
Netanyahu has vehemently defended Israel’s conduct, emphasizing adherence to the laws of war and rejecting any moral critique from Erdoğan. Netanyahu’s response highlighted Erdoğan’s controversial history regarding human rights and his stance on various international issues.
Background and implications
The recent exchange marks a low point in Israel-Turkish relations, which have seen fluctuations over the past decades, particularly after incidents in 2008 and 2010. Despite a brief period of reconciliation in 2022, the current conflict has led to a further deterioration in diplomatic ties, with Israel recalling its diplomats following Turkey’s critical statements about Israel’s military actions.
This escalation underscores the complex and often tense relations between Israel and Turkey, with significant implications for regional politics and diplomatic engagements.
