The most serious crisis in the relations between Israel and Turkey – Why is the American Foreign Minister rushing to Ankara

The eyes of the international community are on the US secretary of state’s visit to Ankara in a thriller as there have been back-and-forth consultations at the State Department on whether the Americans should meet Tayyip Erdogan, who has been attacking the West on a daily basis.

But the very serious diplomatic crisis between Ankara and Tel Aviv did not leave much room for the Americans not to react. Erdogan’s decision to recall the ambassador to Tel Aviv, Sakir Ozkan Torunlarfor consultations was roughly expected.

“Due to the unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Gaza caused by Israel’s continued attacks on civilians and Israel’s refusal of calls for a cease-fire and continued and unhindered flow of humanitarian aid, it has been decided to recall our ambassador to Tel Aviv, Shakir Ozkan Torunlar , in ‘Ankara for consultations’ said the announcement of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

However, Tayyip Erdoğan’s very harsh stance against Israel was not expected, nor was there any diplomatic response from the Israeli ministry.

Netanyahu is no longer our interlocutor in any way. We deleted him. I will announce the decision on this matter in the contacts we will have at the Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation”.

And he continued in high tones:

I stated that we will support initiatives to refer Israel’s human rights abuses and war crimes to the International Criminal Court. Our competent authorities, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will proceed with the procedures,” he said, stressing that “we will do everything we can to enforce International Law and punish war crimes.” After Turkey announced it was recalling its ambassador from Israel amid its ongoing war against Hamas, Tel Aviv accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of siding with Hamas.

In particular, in a response issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel characterizes Tayyip Erdogan’s decision to recall the ambassador “another step by the Turkish president to side with the terrorist organization Hamas». The announcement added that “Hamas is the real enemy of the Palestinian people.” The ministry also defends Israeli military operations in Gaza as a “war of self-defense.”

Blinken’s meeting today with Fidan and possibly with Erdogan will concern developments in the Middle East. But for the president of Turkey, all issues are on the agenda when facing a high-ranking American official.