Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is gearing up to launch a "global initiative" aimed at ending the conflict in the Gaza Strip and is on the verge of officially designating Israel as a war criminal, as reported by the pro-government newspaper Hurriyet.
Erdogan, who has previously endorsed Hamas as "freedom fighters," is now taking steps to initiate a worldwide effort to secure a ceasefire in Israel, condemning what he perceives as war crimes against Palestine.
In a recent statement, Erdogan declared: "I will call each of the world leaders, negotiate with them and meet with them if necessary."
This reflects his intention to collaborate with global leaders on a joint initiative specifically addressing the situation in Gaza.
Erdogan's position on Hamas has caused a rift with NATO and European Union allies that have consistently supported Israel's right to self-defense. (Related: Turkey’s Erdogan threatens WAR against Israel for their relentless BOMBING of Gaza Strip.)
The European Commission released a report highlighting "serious deficiencies" in Turkey's democratic institutions, along with a "deterioration of human and fundamental rights" within the country.
Erdogan’s assertion that Hamas is not a terrorist organization, but a group of mujahideen defending their land, did not sit well with Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
"Hamas is a despicable terrorist organization worse than ISIS," said MFA spokesman Lior Haiat. "Even the Turkish president's attempt to defend the terrorist organization and his inciting words will not change the horrors that the whole world has seen."
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The escalating tension between Ankara and Jerusalem could potentially impact the recently restored diplomatic ties between the two nations.
In response to heightened tensions, Israel has taken the unprecedented step of recalling its diplomats from Turkey, stating the need for a comprehensive reassessment of diplomatic relations.
The decision follows Erdogan's inflammatory remarks at a massive pro-Palestinian rally in Istanbul, where he announced plans to designate Israel as a "war criminal" for its actions in the Gaza Strip.
Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen affirmed that the decision to recall diplomats was a direct response to the escalating rhetoric from Turkey.
Erdogan slammed over pro-Hamas remarks
Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz condemned Erdogan's statements, claiming that the Turkish leader had laid bare his true intentions.
Katz, set to become the foreign minister, accused Erdogan of supporting terrorism, emphasizing that even symbolic gestures like wearing a kaffiyeh would not conceal what Katz termed as "shame."
"The man of the Muslim Brotherhood supports Hamas-Daesh terror," Katz wrote on X.
Gilad Erdan, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, told Army Radio: "A snake will remain a snake. Erdogan tried to improve his image, but remains an anti-Semite."
Participants at the rally waved Turkish and Palestinian flags, chanting slogans like "God is great." Renowned musician Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, also participated in the rally.
Erdogan's recent rhetoric marks a significant departure from the diplomatic thaw that began a year and a half ago, with efforts to improve ties between the two nations after years of strained relations.
While Israel and Turkey had been regional allies, their relations soured after the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, leading to a series of mutual accusations and diplomatic fallout.
The recall of Israeli diplomats signals a fresh strain in the delicate diplomatic balance, impacting the recent attempts at normalization between the two countries.
The move underscores the complexity of maintaining diplomatic ties, particularly in the context of ongoing geopolitical challenges in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the backdrop of these geopolitical maneuvers is the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with Hamas-run health authorities claiming a staggering toll of more than 10,000 lives since the war's commencement.
The situation remains fluid, and the implications of Erdogan's proposed "global initiative" are closely watched by the international community.
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