Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized today the necessity for Israel to abandon its intentions to escalate conflict in the region, as reported by Turkey’s state news agency Anadolu.
Erdogan’s remarks came during a press briefing early Sunday upon his return to Turkey from Germany, where he attended his country’s national team match against the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 football tournament quarter-finals.
The call from Erdogan follows heightened tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Palestinian factions, amid sporadic violence and diplomatic maneuvers.
Erdogan urged Israel to reconsider its actions, stressing the importance of regional stability and peaceful resolutions to ongoing disputes.
“It is upon Israel to forsake its intent to spread conflict in the region, and upon Western countries, especially the United States, to withdraw their support for Israel in this regard,” stated the Turkish President.
Erdogan also referenced talks held between the head of Mossad and officials from Hamas in Doha, which resulted in positive steps aiming towards a permanent ceasefire.
“They say a ceasefire could happen at any moment, meaning we could receive good news at any moment from there, but it all depends on Netanyahu’s stances,” he added.
Erdogan’s stance reflects Turkey’s historical role in Middle Eastern affairs and its positioning as a key player in regional diplomacy.
Turkey has often voiced support for Palestinian rights and criticized Israeli policies it deems detrimental to peace efforts in the region.