Trump: I Don’t Think There Will Be a War Between Israel and Turkey

U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the rising security and diplomatic tensions in the Middle East directly, offering a reassuring statement about fears of a military flare-up between Israel and Turkey. During a meeting with reporters, the American president was asked by Channel 14 reporter Libi Alon, "Do you think there is a chance of a conflict between Israel and Turkey?"

Trump chose to respond by emphasizing his personal and close relationship with the Turkish leader in Ankara. "I like Erdogan very much. He is a very strong man," the American president said, and made clear that in his view, his presence in the White House serves as a brake on regional escalation. "I don’t think it will happen with Turkey, at least as long as I am president, because Erdogan respects me and I respect him."

Erdogan threatens: "We will respond firmly and clearly"

Trump’s calming remarks come at a particularly sensitive time, amid a public and sharp clash that has recently been recorded between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Earlier today, Wednesday, Erdogan delivered a particularly combative speech before the parliamentary faction of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara. During his remarks, the Turkish president sent a threatening message and said Turkey would not hesitate to act and respond "firmly and clearly" to anything it defines as a threat to its sovereignty, as well as to the rights of Turkish Cypriots in the Mediterranean region.

Political circles are closely following the leaders’ statements, and it appears that for now, the mediation and political weight of the Washington administration are a significant factor in restraining the tone between Jerusalem and Ankara.