Israel demanded the immediate return of all diplomatic staff from Turkey just as Erdogan‘s remarks came to an end.
In response to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s harsh condemnation of their military operation against Hamas militants in Gaza, Israel stated on Saturday that it would be recalling its diplomatic staff from Turkey.
This action severely dented the initial attempts by both parties to reestablish political and economic ties, which had remained nearly frozen for a decade.
Israel and Turkey, the predominately Muslim nation that serves as the cornerstone of NATO defenses on the edge of the Middle East, had only recently settled on the reinstatement of ambassadors last year.
They were also reopening negotiations on a US-supported natural gas pipeline venture that could have laid the groundwork for much closer and enduring cooperation in the foreseeable future.
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However, their relationship has deteriorated as Erdogan intensifies the speed and ferocity of his criticisms directed at Israel’s retaliatory military action against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
On October 7, Hamas insurgents conducted a sudden attack, resulting in the deaths of 1,400 individuals, mostly civilians, and the capture of over 220 hostages.
The Gaza health ministry, controlled by Hamas, has reported that Israeli airstrikes have claimed the lives of 7,703 people, the majority of whom were civilians, including more than 3,500 children.
Erdogan’s party, known for its Islamic roots, held a major rally in Istanbul on Saturday, which the president claimed drew an estimated crowd of 1.5 million people.
Speaking to the crowd of supporters waving Turkish and Palestinian flags, he proclaimed, “Israel, you are an occupying power.
“He criticized the Israeli government for acting as a “war criminal” and attempting to “exterminate” Palestinians.
Immediately after Erdogan concluded his speech, Israel ordered the return of all diplomatic staff from Turkey.
‘Of course, every country has the right to defend itself. But where is the justice in this case? There is no justice — just a vicious massacre happening in Gaza.’
Israel demanded the immediate return of all diplomatic staff from Turkey just as Erdogan’s remarks came to an end.
‘Given the grave statements coming from Turkey, I have ordered the return of diplomatic representatives there in order to conduct a reevaluation of the relations between Israel and Turkey,’ Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said in a statement.