Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday urged Islamic nations to unite against what he described as Israel’s “growing threat of expansionism.” The call came in response to the recent killing of a Turkish-American woman by Israeli troops during a protest in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian and Turkish officials.
Erdogan made his remarks during an event hosted by an Islamic schools’ association near Istanbul, emphasizing that only a coalition of Islamic countries could effectively counter what he termed “Israeli arrogance, banditry, and state terrorism.”
“The only step that will stop Israeli arrogance, Israeli banditry, and Israeli state terrorism is the alliance of Islamic countries,” Erdogan said.
The Turkish leader framed his recent diplomatic efforts, including moves to improve relations with Egypt and Syria, as part of a broader strategy to build solidarity against Israel’s actions. He expressed concern that Israel’s expansionist policies also posed threats to Lebanon and Syria.
Erdogan hosted Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Ankara earlier this week, marking the first such visit in over a decade. The two leaders discussed the ongoing conflict in Gaza and ways to mend long-strained ties between their nations.
Turkey began diplomatic efforts in 2020 to ease tensions with various regional rivals, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Erdogan also indicated openness to restoring relations with Syria, suggesting a potential invitation to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The Israeli military stated that it is reviewing the details surrounding Friday’s incident in which a female foreign national was reportedly killed by gunfire. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have yet to comment on the incident or Erdogan’s remarks.
Tensions between Turkey and Israel have fluctuated in recent years, with Turkey often voicing strong opposition to Israeli policies regarding Palestine.