Turkish Foreign Minister Condemns Israel as Global Problem Amid Diplomatic Tensions
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan sharply criticized Israel in a Turkish-language interview with CNN on Thursday, declaring that Israel has become a problem for the entire international community. Fidan accused Israeli authorities of being an unbearable burden on humanity and praised Turkey's decision to halt $10 billion in trade with Israel overnight, citing Israeli military actions in Gaza as the reason. He emphasized that Turkey has no intention of reversing its stance and claimed that anti-Israel sentiment is spreading worldwide, from university campuses to intellectual forums, due to Israel's overt acts of violence.
Fidan further accused Israel of openly destabilizing regions and seeking new enemies to improve its negative global image. His remarks come amid escalating tensions between Ankara and Jerusalem, which intensified after Israel's recent official recognition of the Armenian genocide. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also responded to Israel's recognition by dismissing accusations against Turkey and highlighting Turkey's historical record of compassion.
In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar condemned Fidan's statements as "disgusting" and a "clear incitement to genocide." Sa'ar denounced the dehumanization of the Jewish people and called on the civilized world and Turkey's NATO allies to unequivocally condemn the call for Israel's destruction. The Israeli Foreign Ministry's strong reaction underscores the seriousness with which it views the Turkish minister's remarks, especially given the already strained relations between the two countries.
The diplomatic rift has deepened since October 7, with Turkey frequently criticizing Israel's policies. Israel's unanimous government approval of Sa'ar's proposal to recognize the Armenian genocide on Sunday further fueled Ankara's anger. Sa'ar stated, "It is never too late to do the right thing," highlighting the significance of the recognition in the ongoing diplomatic dispute.
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