Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has labeled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the “biggest obstacle to regional peace” during a recent meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Before an audience of 57 member states, Erdoğan spoke on the prophetic vision with fervor. He denounced the sustained Israeli assaults on Iran and charged that Western leaders are providing Israel with “unconditional support,” further inflaming the situation across the region.
Erdoğan described Israel’s actions as dragging the Middle East towards a “total disaster,” including by hosting military operations against Iran. He warned of the dangerous consequences of such cavalier behavior. This concern becomes even more pronounced with the upcoming final round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States. This timing, he argued, is meant to scuttle any chance at a princely or any other diplomatic solution.
Erdoğan said Netanyahu’s Zionist ambitions only have one aim. He threatened they will throw our area and the whole world into a catastrophe of their making. He highlighted Turkey’s resolve to fight against any moves to change borders in the Middle East “in blood.”
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan seconded Erdoğan’s calls, adding that Israel’s incursions into Gaza are a “harbinger of a greater bloodbath to come” in the region. “There is no Palestinian, Lebanese, Syrian, Yemeni or Iranian problem but there is clearly an Israeli problem,” he claimed. To thunderous applause, Fidan delivered an impassioned plea for more robust cooperation between OIC member states. He called on them to challenge what he called Israel’s “pirateness” in Palestine and across the whole region.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi added his voice to the increasingly incendiary refrain. He announced that Iran would only negotiate with the United States if Israel stops its attacks. “Iran is ready to re-engage on the path of diplomacy,” Araghchi said. That only occurs after the aggression stops and the aggressor is made to face justice for their actions. This characterization highlights the delicate balance between armed conflict and diplomatic resolution in today’s global affairs.
For the record, the OIC was first established in 1969. Its stated mission is to protect the interests of the Muslim world and work to ensure international peace, security, and harmony. Erdoğan’s comments reflect a significant shift in Turkey’s position towards Israel, particularly given their historically strong relations that have deteriorated over recent years.
