Erdogan threatens ties with Israel over support for Kurds

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said Israel should “review” its support for Iraqi Kurdish independence, warning the Jewish state’s support for the bid could negatively affect diplomatic ties between Ankara and Jerusalem.

“If they do not review, we cannot take a lot of steps that we were about to take with Israel,” Erdogan said.

“It is not possible for us to take steps with those who do not see Turkey as a playmaker in the region. Turkey is a playmaker in the region,” he said.

Despite years of close security and intelligence ties, Israel’s diplomatic relations with Turkey have been frosty under Erdogan’s rule, reaching a nadir after Israeli troops raided the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara ship and killed nine Turkish nationals, who attacked them violently aboard, in May 2010.

Although Jerusalem and Ankara struck a reconciliation deal in August 2016 after years of severed ties following the flotilla incident, Erdogan has continued to publicly chastise Israel in harsh terms over its policies towards the Palestinians and the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid, in response, called Erdogan’s threat “empty.”

“Erdogan’s threat to freeze ties if Israel continues to support Kurdish independence is empty. The relations are in any case hollow and we don’t take orders from them,” tweeted Lapid, who has advocated for Israel to take a more aggressive approach to Turkey.

Referring to Israel’s support for Monday’s independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, Erdogan, who has threatened military intervention over the vote, warned the Kurds that Israel’s backing “will not save you.”

“Who will recognise your independence? Israel. The world is not about Israel. You should know that the waving of Israeli flags there will not save you,” he said.

related

Subscribe to the EJC newsletter

Get the EJC newsletter, including the latest statements and news from the European Jewish communities, direct to your inbox.

European Jewish Congress will use the information you provide on this form to contact you. We will treat your information with respect and will not share it with others. By clicking Subscribe, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

browse by community