Turkey’s Erdogan Seeks Islamic Alliance Against Israel, Sparks Diplomatic Clash
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called on Saturday for Islamic countries to form an alliance against what he described as “the growing threat of expansionism” from Israel, prompting a sharp rebuke from Israel’s foreign minister.
Speaking at an Islamic schools’ association event near Istanbul, Erdogan made his remarks following the reported killing of a Turkish-American woman by Israeli troops during a protest against settlement expansion in the West Bank on Friday. Palestinian and Turkish officials condemned the incident, which Erdogan cited as evidence of what he termed Israeli “arrogance,” “banditry,” and “state terrorism.”
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“The only step that will stop Israeli arrogance, Israeli banditry, and Israeli state terrorism is the alliance of Islamic countries,” Erdogan stated. He also emphasized that Turkey’s recent diplomatic moves to improve ties with Egypt and Syria were aimed at creating a “line of solidarity against the growing threat of expansionism,” which he claimed also poses risks to Lebanon and Syria.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz responded swiftly, calling Erdogan’s comments “a dangerous lie and incitement.” Katz accused Erdogan of collaborating with Iran to destabilize moderate Arab regimes in the region.
