Ankara, Turkey – In a sharp escalation of diplomatic rhetoric, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan declared on Monday that Israel, particularly under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration, is actively seeking to designate Turkey as its ‘new enemy.’ This assertion comes amidst a rapidly deteriorating relationship between the two nations, significantly strained by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

• Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan alleges Israel is strategically seeking a ‘new enemy’ after Iran.
• This perceived strategy is attributed to the current Israeli government and certain opposition figures.
• The remarks follow strong condemnations from Ankara against Israel’s actions in Gaza and Netanyahu’s recent critical statements.
• Tensions have been mounting since the Oct 7, 2023, attacks and escalated following President Erdogan’s warnings about potential provocations during a US-Iran ceasefire.

A Strategic Pivot: Crafting the ‘New Enemy’ Narrative

Speaking in a televised interview with Anadolu Agency, Minister Fidan articulated a disconcerting observation: “After Iran, Israel cannot live without an enemy.” He elaborated that the current Israeli leadership, along with some segments of its opposition, appears intent on positioning Turkey in this adversarial role. “This is a new development in Israel… turning into a state strategy,” Fidan added, underscoring the gravity of what Ankara perceives as a deliberate policy shift.

Turkey, a vocal critic of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts, alongside Pakistan and Egypt, aimed at de-escalating tensions related to the broader regional conflict involving Iran. The relationship has been in a downward spiral since the eruption of hostilities in Gaza following Hamas’s attacks on October 7, 2023.

Escalating Rhetoric and Diplomatic Confrontation

The diplomatic spat entered a more acrimonious phase over the weekend. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had previously cautioned U.S. President Donald Trump regarding potential “provocations and sabotage” that could imperil an initial ceasefire arrangement in the US-Iran conflict. This was swiftly followed by a pointed critique from Prime Minister Netanyahu on X, where he vowed Israel’s continued confrontation with Tehran and its regional allies. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz further intensified the exchange, labelling President Erdogan a “paper tiger” on X.

Ankara’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded with a strong rebuttal, characterising Netanyahu’s remarks as a manifestation of “discomfort caused by the truths we have consistently voiced on every platform.” The ministry’s statement did not shy away from sharp criticism, referring to Netanyahu as “the Hitler of our time due to the crimes he has committed” and highlighting his ongoing corruption trial and the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Ankara’s Stance: Accountability and Regional Stability

The Turkish foreign ministry asserted that Netanyahu’s current objective is to obstruct peace negotiations and pursue “expansionist policies.” Furthermore, it underscored that under his leadership, Israel is facing proceedings before the International Court of Justice on charges of genocide. The ministry reiterated Turkey’s commitment to supporting innocent civilians and pursuing accountability for alleged crimes. “Türkiye will continue to stand by innocent civilians and will further its efforts to ensure that Netanyahu is held accountable for the crimes he has committed,” the statement concluded.