Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan escalated his critique of Israel, branding it a "terrorist state" and alleging a deliberate intent to annihilate Gaza and its inhabitants.
In a passionate address to his party members, Erdogan declared that Turkey would take measures to bring Israel's political and military leaders to trial in international courts, denouncing Israel's actions as a strategy for the total destruction of a city and its people.
Erdogan, departing for an official visit to Berlin, characterized Hamas terrorists as "resistance fighters" defending their lands and people. German Chancellor Angela Merkel later dismissed Erdogan's accusations of fascism against Israel as "absurd."
Erdogan's criticism of Israel has intensified in the wake of the conflict with Hamas, sparked by the terror group's attacks on southern Israel.
The Turkish leader's statements come against the backdrop of historically strained relations between Israel and Turkey, deteriorating notably after the 2010 Israeli commando raid on the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara ship.
While ties showed a temporary improvement, both countries withdrew their ambassadors in 2018 amid violence in Gaza and the relocation of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.
Despite diplomatic challenges, there was a brief thaw in relations between Israel and Turkey in 2020, leading to a full renewal of diplomatic ties in August of the following year. However, recent tensions over the refusal to agree to a Gaza ceasefire prompted Turkey to recall its ambassador to Israel for consultations.
(With Agency Inputs)
