Turkey Cuts Ties With Israel

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

ANKARA/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Wednesday that Turkey has cut its ties with the State of Israel, marking a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

“We have cut trade and ties with Israel, period,” Erdoğan said in remarks to Turkish media.

However, Israeli officials in Jerusalem said they were unaware of the diplomatic status change.

While Turkey recalled its ambassador from Israel “in protest of the Gaza War,” the Turkish embassy in Tel Aviv is still operating, Israeli sources said.

Erdoğan spoke to reporters aboard his plane following recent visits to Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan.

The Turkey’s leader stressed his condemnation of what he called “genocide” by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon.

ISRAEL DENIES

Israel’s government has vehemently denied committing atrocities, saying it is fighting Iran’s proxies, such as Hamas, after the group killed some 1,200 people in southern Israel on October 7 last year.

However, Erdoğan said there was “an urgent need” for humanitarian aid and an immediate ceasefire. “As you know, intense efforts are being made to keep the pressure on Israel alive and to take coercive measures against this country based on international law,” he added.

The Turkish president has been among Israel’s harshest critics before and after last year’s Hamas massacre, described as “the worst atrocity against Jews since the Holocaust,” or Shoah.

He refused to condemn the Hamas atrocities against Israeli civilians and instead lashed out at Israel for its war against Hamas in Gaza.

In March, Erdoğan emphasized Turkey’s strong ties with Hamas, which he refuses to recognize as a “terrorist organization.”

“Turkey is a country that speaks openly with Hamas leaders and firmly backs them. No one can make us qualify Hamas as a terrorist organization,” he said

HITLER COMPARISON

The Turkish president has also compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler who ordered the murder of six million Jews.

“Netanyahu and his administration, with their crimes against humanity in Gaza, are writing their names next to Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin, like today’s Nazis,” Erdoğan claimed.

In May, the Turkish leader escalated his rhetoric by calling Netanyahu a “vampire” and said the State of Israel was a threat to “all of humanity.”

He also announced that Turkey would halt all commercial trade with the Jewish state. Former Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz strongly condemned Erdoğan, accusing him of undermining both Israeli and Turkish traders.

“Erdoğan crossed a line and blocked ports for Israeli exports and imports,” Katz complained.

“This is how a dictator behaves – trampling on the interests of the Turkish people and businessmen and ignoring international trade agreements,” he argued.

Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.

Latest Stories from Worthy News

Trump Calls Talk with Mexico’s New Leader ‘Productive’ on Drugs and Border Issues
Trump Calls Talk with Mexico’s New Leader ‘Productive’ on Drugs and Border Issues
Wednesday, November 27, 2024

President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday night that he had a “productive conversation” with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo about combating the illegal flow of fentanyl into the United States and addressing illegal immigration. Trump added that Mexico had agreed to take immediate action to prevent illegal immigrants from reaching the southern border.

FBI Investigating Bomb Threats Against Trump Cabinet Nominees
FBI Investigating Bomb Threats Against Trump Cabinet Nominees
Wednesday, November 27, 2024

The FBI announced Wednesday that it is investigating bomb threats and “swatting” incidents, as well as other threats, targeting several of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees and administration appointees.

IDF Set to Procure Personal Laser Defense System for Troops
IDF Set to Procure Personal Laser Defense System for Troops
Wednesday, November 27, 2024

The Israeli government is set to sign an important new deal with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems company for the purchase of a ground-breaking personal laser defense system to protect infantry soldiers serving with the Israel Defense Forces, Ynet News reports.

100 Christian Families Freed From Slavery In Pakistan; Thousands Still Held  (Worthy News In-Depth)
100 Christian Families Freed From Slavery In Pakistan; Thousands Still Held (Worthy News In-Depth)
Wednesday, November 27, 2024

There was hope Tuesday for at least some of the thousands of Christians held as “bonded labors” in Islamic-ruled Pakistan, with Christian aid workers telling Worthy News they freed 100 Christian families ahead of Christmas.

Israel to Appeal ICC Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu/Gallant
Israel to Appeal ICC Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu/Gallant
Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Israel will appeal the arrest warrants issued last week by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the Jerusalem Post reports.