image sourced from original article at A spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sharply criticized recent remarks by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who suggested Turkey harbors ambitions of reestablishing an empire. The spokesman, Burhanettin Duran, called the comments ironic, accusing Israeli leaders of hypocrisy given their actions in the region. Duran asserted that Turkey, under President Erdogan, has been a stabilizing force, while he blamed the Israeli government for regional instability and suffering. He further accused Israel of masking its territorial ambitions as security concerns and reaffirmed Turkey's support for Palestinians, dismissing Netanyahu's statements as baseless.
The tensions come amid Israeli concerns over Turkey's growing influence in Syria and its interest in participating in an international force in Gaza. The exchange highlights ongoing friction between the two countries regarding their roles and ambitions in the Middle East.
