Mediator between West and East: a political scientist from Israel explained Turkey’s current positions

Erdogan openly supported Hamas militants / Channel 24 Collage (photo: Getty Images)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan openly supported Hamas militants and criticized Israel's actions. Although he makes unfriendly statements regarding Israel and the West, Turkey needs the support of Europe and the United States.

This opinion was voiced by Israeli political scientist Mikhail Pellivert to Channel 24 . According to him, Erdogan’s rhetoric has its reasons.

Erdogan's position

Mikhail Pellivert noted that, on the one hand, Turkey is a NATO member that acts as a mediator between East and West. Erdogan does not want to break off relations with the West, but allows himself to commit unfriendly actions.

Recep Erdogan supports Hamas terrorists, allows them to stay in Turkey, tries to destabilize the situation in Kurdistan, does not allow new members to join NATO, pursues a fairly independent policy regarding Iran, and maintains relations with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

This is probably, first of all, an attempt to use destabilization to return Turkey to the authority of a great empire. It is no coincidence that Erdogan is called the “Sultan”. This is a person who believes that Turkey is not in the place it should be. These are awakened imperial genes,” the political scientist suggested.

In addition, Erdogan is trying to divert the attention of Turkish society from internal problems. Türkiye is in a difficult economic situation: very high inflation, high discount rates. People are outraged by what is happening. Also, not everyone came to their senses after the terrible earthquake in the country.

“I assume that Erdogan will not completely break with Israel in the near future. He understands that Turkey can only survive as a relatively stable and economically successful country with the support of Europe and the West. It has no other way of development,” says Pellivert. .

Pellivert on Erdogan's rhetoric: watch the video

Erdogan's statements: the main thing

• At a rally of thousands, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed support for Hamas. He said he does not consider Hamas members to be terrorists. The Turkish president called the Palestinian militants a “liberation group.”
• Erdogan accused Israel of “atrocities” in the Gaza Strip. According to him, almost half of those killed in IDF strikes “are children.” In addition, he canceled his visit to Israel.
• Erdogan called Hamas his “brothers and sisters” and called on the people of Turkey to show solidarity with them. He called the action itself a rally “against Israeli oppression.” The Turkish leader said Gaza “was part of our territories.” According to him, Ankara is preparing to declare Israel a “war criminal.”
• In addition, Erdogan blamed the “massacre” in the Gaza Strip on the West. The Turkish President threatened Western countries with a “war of the cross and crescent.”
• The Turkish President accused Israel of “war crimes” and “human rights violations” in the Gaza Strip, and also harshly criticized the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.