ALBAWABA - Israeli media expressed concern in response to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's proposal to form a "Islamic alliance" headed by Egypt and Turkey, two important Muslim nations, in order to oppose the "threat of Israeli expansion."
Erdogan made his remarks in reaction to the murder of a Turkish-American human rights advocate in Nablus when there was a demonstration. He said that the "only way to halt Israel's aggressive expansion and arrogance is through an Islamic alliance involving Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria to confront Israel’s terrorism and criminal behavior."
Erdogan's statements were met with criticism from Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz, who said that Erdogan was "leading the Turkish people into the fires of hatred and violence for the sake of his friends in Hamas."
Katz further accused Erdogan of hazardous provocation and propagating misinformation, claiming that he has long been working with Iran to topple moderate Arab regimes. Katz urged that Erdogan "remain silent and feel ashamed" and stressed that Israel is merely protecting its borders and population from adversaries who are part of the "Shia axis."
Erdogan reiterated on Saturday the need for a "Islamic alliance" to combat the escalating "threat of Israeli expansionism and its acts of terrorism." He continued by saying that Turkey has recently made an effort to improve ties with Syria and Egypt in order to promote sympathy with these countries.
