August 1-6, 2024
Erdoğan Threatens Intervention in Israel Over Gaza Conflict But Maintains Oil Supplies
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan threatened intervention in Israel’s Gaza conflict on July 28, likening potential action to Turkish involvement in Karabakh and Libya. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz compared Erdoğan to Saddam Hussein, urging NATO to expel Turkiye. Turkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs likened Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler. Despite Erdoğan’s statements, Turkish journalist Metin Cihan highlighted continued oil supplies to Israel via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, undercutting Erdoğan’s threats. Domestically, Erdoğan’s rhetoric seeks to bolster support from his conservative base, with strong public backing for Palestine.
Instagram Ban Costs Turkiye $27 Million Daily, Erdoğan Accuses ‘Digital Fascism’
Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned social media as “digital fascism” after blocking Instagram on August 2, resulting in daily losses of $27 million for Turkiye’s e-commerce sector. The ban followed Instagram’s removal of posts expressing condolences for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s death. Erdoğan criticized the platform for allegedly censoring “Palestinian martyrs” and claimed social media suppresses voices critical of Israel. Turkish officials are in discussions with Instagram to restore access and mitigate the financial impact.
Turkish Embassy Half-Mast Tribute Hijacked by Israeli Flag-Tagging Drone
Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared a day of mourning for slain Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, leading to Turkish embassies, including in Tel Aviv, lowering their flags to half-mast, sparking anger amongst the Israeli community. In response, a Ramat Gan resident flew a drone carrying an Israeli flag over the Turkish embassy in Tel Aviv on August 2, 2024. This act of protest drew a complaint from Turkish Ambassador Şakir Özkan Torunlar, currently in Ankara, asserting that the drone violated Turkiye’s sovereignty and diplomatic immunity. The incident has further strained relations between Turkiye and Israel, exacerbating already high tensions due to recent threats and inflammatory statements from both sides.
Egypt and Turkiye Unite to De-Escalate Gaza Conflict
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met in Cairo to discuss preventing the escalation of Israel’s war in Gaza into a broader regional conflict. Both ministers emphasized the need for collective action to mitigate tensions and condemned the use of assassination tactics and breaches of sovereignty. They also addressed issues in Libya, Sudan, the Red Sea, and Yemen. Fidan highlighted Turkiye’s involvement in the International Court of Justice regarding Israel’s actions and stressed the importance of establishing a Palestinian state for Middle Eastern peace. This visit marks a significant step towards restoring diplomatic relations between Egypt and Turkiye after years of tension.
Erdoğan Persuades Pope Francis to Address Olympic Controversy
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, known for his political acumen, achieved a significant diplomatic feat by convincing Pope Francis to address a controversy surrounding the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. Despite initial reluctance, the Pope spoke out eight days after the event, highlighting Erdoğan’s influence and ability to shape international discourse. This move adds to Erdoğan’s reputation as a formidable political operator, showcasing his ability to sway even the highest religious authorities.
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📌 In case you missed it,
📰 THE EARLY PHOENIX August 1, 2024
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