Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan sparked a flurry of speculation on Sunday with a provocative statement suggesting that Turkey might intervene in Israel, citing past military actions in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh as precedents. Erdogan’s comments, made during a speech to his ruling AK Party in his hometown of Rize, were seen as a warning to Israel over its ongoing offensive in Gaza.
Erdogan, a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Palestine, began his remarks by praising Turkey’s defense industry before turning his attention to the conflict in Gaza. “We must be very strong so that Israel can’t do these ridiculous things to Palestine,” he said, before making the provocative statement: “Just like we entered Karabakh, just like we entered Libya, we might do similar to them.”
The Turkish president’s comments were met with applause from the audience, but AK Party representatives declined to elaborate on what kind of intervention Erdogan was suggesting. Israel, meanwhile, did not immediately respond to Erdogan’s remarks.
Erdogan’s statement appears to refer to Turkey’s past military actions in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh. In 2020, Turkey sent military personnel to Libya in support of the United Nations-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) of Libya, which is headed by Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah. Turkey’s intervention in Libya was seen as a key factor in the GNA’s ability to hold off rival forces and maintain control of the capital, Tripoli.
Similarly, Turkey’s military intervention in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020 helped to shift the balance of power in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, allowing Azerbaijan to regain control of significant territory.
While Erdogan’s comments were seen as a threat to Israel, they were also interpreted as a message to the international community that Turkey is willing to take bold action to defend its interests and those of its allies. Erdogan’s statement comes at a time when Turkey is seeking to assert its influence in the region and challenge the dominance of other powers, including the United States and Israel.
Palestinian Reaction
Palestinian officials and analysts welcomed Erdogan’s statement, seeing it as a sign of Turkey’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause. “Erdogan’s comments are a clear message to Israel that its actions in Gaza will not go unchallenged,” said Dr. Ghassan Khatib, a Palestinian analyst and former government official. “Turkey’s willingness to intervene on behalf of the Palestinians is a significant development, and one that could potentially shift the balance of power in the region.”
Other Palestinian officials noted that Erdogan’s statement was a reflection of Turkey’s long-standing support for the Palestinian people. “Turkey has consistently stood with the Palestinians, and Erdogan’s comments are a testament to that commitment,” said Fatah spokesperson Osama Qawasmi. “We appreciate Turkey’s willingness to take a strong stance against Israeli aggression, and we look forward to continuing our cooperation with Ankara in the pursuit of Palestinian rights and freedoms.”
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, Erdogan’s statement has added a new layer of complexity to the conflict. While it remains unclear what kind of intervention Turkey might undertake, Erdogan’s comments have sent a clear message to Israel that its actions will not go unchallenged.
