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Once again Erdogan issues new military threat against Israel

After last year’s invasion threat, Turkey’s leader doubles down, vowing that Israel would collapse if it dared to confront his forces.

Recip Tayyep Erdogan
Photo: ymphotos Shutterstock

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems to be working diligently to secure his place at the top of the list of pro-Gaza speakers, who in practice do not lift a finger. After countless criticisms, condemnations and marches against Israel, the Turkish president is once again threatening the Jewish state.

"Israel is great vis-à-vis the civilians in Gaza," he claimed, "but if it confronts our army, it will fall to pieces." He said that "Israel is hiding under the skirt of the West," but "the more tyrannical it becomes, the higher the price it will pay."

The Turkish president's attitude toward Israel has deteriorated significantly against the backdrop of the war in Gaza, especially since October 2023, and has become extremely hostile. Erdogan, who over the years has supported Hamas and expressed solidarity with the "Palestinian struggle," has intensified his statements against Israel, accusing it of "genocide" and war crimes.

In July 2024, he directly threatened Israel with unusual words, saying that Turkey might invade it "as we entered Karabakh and Libya," adding that Israel would not be able to stand up to Turkey's military might.

These threats, which came after a trade boycott he imposed on Israel in May 2024, were seen as part of an attempt to strengthen his internal political standing and portray himself as the protector of the Muslim nation, but also provoked strong reactions in Israel, in which Erdogan was compared to dictators such as Saddam Hussein.

Despite the threats, experts believe that the chances of real military action are low, and these statements are mainly intended to influence public opinion in Turkey and exert diplomatic pressure on Israel.

Channel 14 contributed to this article.

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