Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo an’s suggestion last week that “Israel’s next target is Turkiye” marks a crucial shift in rhetoric as we approach the first anniversary of the start of war in Gaza. While Turkiye has consistently characterized Israel’s aggression as endangering regional peace, framing it as a direct threat to Turkiye itself is a notable development.
Turkiye's geopolitical position inevitably ties it closely to the conflict in Gaza, especially in light of Iran’s military responses to Israeli actions. Turkish statements reflect not only concerns for regional stability but also for the war’s broader implications, and Turkish authorities have arrested and charged dozens of people suspected of having ties to Mossad.
Parliamentary Speaker Numan Kurtulmus expressed similar sentiments to Erdogan, and some journalists and policymakers have also highlighted the Israeli threat to Turkiye. The Greater Israel or “promised land” mentioned in the Torah encompasses all or parts of Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Kuwait and Turkiye. This perceived threat was fueled by a controversial article in The Jerusalem Post referring specifically to Lebanon. The article was deleted after a significant backlash, but it ignited heated discussions on social media, with critics accusing the publication of endorsing expansionist ideologies under religious pretenses. The incident has amplified Turkish concerns
Poster Comment:
Turkey transports oil to Israel from Azerbaijan. Problem for Erdogan and Sisi of Egypt is that the people are angry about the Genocide of Gaza and Lebanon.