Trump Supports Erdogan’s Stance Against Israel, Raising Israeli Concerns

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone conversation overnight amid escalating regional tensions. Erdogan criticized Israel for increasing military actions against Palestinians during a critical phase of the American peace plan, while Trump expressed support for Erdogan’s position, causing significant concern in Israel.

During the call, Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s desire to continue diplomatic efforts and offered full support for mediation and peace initiatives. Turkey, which has the second-largest army in NATO and shares a land border with Iran, maintains ongoing contacts with Washington, Tehran, and other regional mediators such as Qatar and Pakistan.

The discussion took place against the backdrop of a sharp deterioration in relations following Iranian officials’ announcement of a shift to an offensive military posture after peace talks stalled and the U.S. refused to extend a temporary ceasefire. Efforts to secure freedom of navigation and resume tanker movements through the Strait of Hormuz remain stalled, a topic also raised earlier between the foreign ministers of Turkey and Iran.

The Palestinian issue and the Gaza conflict were central to the conversation. Erdogan condemned Israel’s intensified military operations against Palestinians, highlighting the timing as particularly problematic given the expected launch of the second phase of the U.S. peace plan. He reiterated Turkey’s commitment to supporting Gaza’s reconstruction and striving for a stable, lasting resolution. The White House did not immediately comment on the details of the exchange.