update deskIsrael at War

Israeli FM instructs diplomats to lobby for Turkey’s ouster from NATO

Israel Katz is seeking to pressure governments to condemn President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and penalize Ankara for violating the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's founding principles.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan speaks during a press conference in Washington during NATO's 75th annual summit, July 11, 2024. Photo by Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan speaks during a press conference in Washington during NATO's 75th annual summit, July 11, 2024. Photo by Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has instructed diplomats around the world to lobby governments to take action against Turkey following its threats to invade the Jewish state, Channel 12 News reported Tuesday.

According to the report, Katz is seeking to pressure governments to condemn President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as well as remove Turkey from NATO, due to Ankara’s violation of the organization’s founding principles.

The NATO treaty states that members are “determined to safeguard the freedom, common heritage and civilization of their peoples, founded on the principles of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law.”

Israeli officials have expressed disappointment in Western countries for failing to call out Erdoğan’s pro-Hamas rhetoric and antisemitic statements in recent months, according to Channel 12.

The chances that Turkey will be removed from NATO are meager, however. Ankara provides NATO with military bases close to Russia and has the largest army in terms of personnel of any member of the alliance, the broadcaster noted. In addition, NATO has never expelled a member.

Erdoğan on Sunday, during a televised address, issued a thinly veiled threat to invade Israel’s sovereign territory, Reuters reported.

“Just like we entered Karabakh, just like we entered Libya, we might do similarly to [Israel],” he said. “There is no reason why we cannot do this.”

Katz subsequently warned the Turkish president to proceed with caution.

“Erdoğan follows in the footsteps of Saddam Hussein and threatens to attack Israel. Just let him remember what happened there and how it ended.”

Hours after Erdoğan’s address, the Turkish Foreign Ministry compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the Nazi leader.

“Just as the end of the genocidal Hitler came, so will be the end of the genocidal Netanyahu,” Ankara stated. “Just as the genocidal Nazis were held accountable, so will those who try to destroy the Palestinians.”

In an attempt to improve diplomatic ties with Jerusalem after years of tumultuous fluctuations, Erdoğan agreed to meet with Netanyahu for the first time on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in late 2023.

However, the cordial relationship between the two leaders was short-lived. Just a few weeks later, on Oct. 7, Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, killing some 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping roughly 250 others.

Turkey, which has hosted a Hamas headquarters since 2012, has given full backing to the Palestinian terrorist group since the Oct. 7 massacre.

In May, during a speech to members of his AK Party, Erdoğan described Netanyahu as a “vampire who feeds on blood,” while urging Muslims to act against the “threat” posed by the Jewish state.

Earlier this month, Erdoğan told Newsweek that Palestinian terrorists in Gaza are “simply defending their homes, streets and homeland,” adding, “What is between Israel and Gaza is not war. Israel has been treating Gaza as an open-air prison for years. They are usurping Palestinians of their homes, businesses and farmlands throughout Palestinian territory, using thieving terrorists they call settlers.”

You have read 3 articles this month.
Register to receive full access to JNS.

Just before you scroll on...

Israel is at war. JNS is combating the stream of misinformation on Israel with real, honest and factual reporting. In order to deliver this in-depth, unbiased coverage of Israel and the Jewish world, we rely on readers like you. The support you provide allows our journalists to deliver the truth, free from bias and hidden agendas. Can we count on your support? Every contribution, big or small, helps JNS.org remain a trusted source of news you can rely on.

Become a part of our mission by donating today
Topics
Comments
Thank you. You are a loyal JNS Reader.
You have read more than 10 articles this month.
Please register for full access to continue reading and post comments.