Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday condemned Israel’s airstrikes on Iran as a “provocation” and accused the Israeli government of dragging the world toward disaster.
“Israel’s attacks on our neighbor Iran are a clear provocation that disregards international law,” Erdoğan said during remarks carried by Turkish media.
He said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government was escalating a strategy of violence that has already devastated Gaza and now threatens wider instability.
“Israel is carrying its strategy of drowning our region, especially Gaza, in blood, tears and instability to a very dangerous stage,” Erdoğan said. “The international community must put an end to Israeli thuggery that targets global and regional stability.”
A longtime critic of Israeli policy and vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, Erdoğan has intensified his rhetoric since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, calling for a ceasefire and regional de-escalation.
“Netanyahu’s government is trying to drag our region and the entire world into disaster with its reckless, aggressive and lawless actions,” he added.