Erdogan's Verbal Attack on Netanyahu; Blinken to Visit Turkey

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, stated that he can no longer speak with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, due to the bombing of Gaza. He said, "Netanyahu is no longer someone we can talk to. We have erased him [from our minds] and thrown him away." The Turkish Foreign Ministry also announced on Saturday that it would recall its ambassador to Israel for "consultation". Erdogan added that Turkey's foreign and intelligence ministers would continue discussions with Israeli parties as well as Hamas and other Palestinian groups. Since Hamas's attack on Israel, which left at least 1,400 dead and took around 240 hostages, and Israel's relentless attacks aimed at eradicating Hamas, Erdogan's rhetoric against Israel has increasingly become critical, ending the two countries' attempts at reconciliation after more than a decade. Erdogan has referred to Hamas as a "liberation group" and condemned Israel, a position that directly contradicts Washington's view. The United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. Erdogan criticized the international support for Israel, stating, "The entire West, especially America, is currently alongside Israel," and that people "should not expect fair treatment" from the European Union regarding Gaza. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department announced on Saturday that Antony Blinken would travel to Turkey on Sunday, November 4. The State Department's statement indicated that Blinken would emphasize the importance of protecting civilian lives in Israel and Gaza during his visit. It also noted that he would discuss the shared commitment between the two countries to facilitate the continuous delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza's civilians and ensure that Palestinians are not forcibly displaced outside Gaza. The statement added that Blinken would also address ways to contain violence and reduce regional tensions, as well as efforts for sustainable peace in the Middle East, including a two-state solution. Shilan Mirzaei stated that she has been detained and is at risk of deportation from Turkey. Blinken's trip to the Middle East coincides with the intensifying conflicts in Gaza. In response to the harsh statements from Turkish officials, Israel recalled its diplomats from Ankara. The White House stated that the U.S. is utilizing all its resources to free hostages held by Hamas. The U.S. has asked its allies in the Middle East to help cut off Hamas's funding networks. Erdogan submitted a bill for Sweden's NATO membership to the Turkish parliament. Europe is concerned about a new wave of migrants resulting from the Israel-Hamas war. Azerbaijan is holding its first joint military exercise with Turkey. An Israeli airstrike targeted the "residence of the family" of Ismail Haniyeh in northern Gaza. Blinken met today with the interim Prime Minister of Lebanon in Amman.