Wed Oct 02 07:37:06 UTC 2024: ## Erdoğan’s Advisor Sparks Outrage with Israel Attack Claim, Dividing AKP
A senior advisor to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Yiğit Bulut, has sparked controversy by claiming Israel is planning to attack Turkey, a statement met with skepticism and criticism within the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Bulut, who serves as both Erdoğan’s chief advisor and a member of the Presidential Economic Policy Board, alleged on social media that Israel would target Turkey after launching strikes against Islamic holy sites, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. He called for Turks to be aware of the threat and urged the country to continue down an independent path following its application to join BRICS.
His claims were met with swift pushback from within the AKP, with prominent figures like former Central Executive Board member Mücahit Birinci and former lawmaker Mehmet Metiner questioning Bulut’s qualifications to make such pronouncements and calling for a reassessment of advisors in the presidential palace.
The controversy comes amid heightened tensions between Turkey and Israel, spurred by Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, and Turkey’s vocal opposition to the strikes. These tensions escalated after Erdoğan’s comments in July, interpreted as a threat of military intervention in Israel, prompting Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz to urge NATO to expel Turkey from the alliance.
While Bulut has defended his position by referencing Erdoğan’s condemnation of Israel’s actions, the incident highlights a rift within the AKP regarding Turkey’s relationship with Israel, a situation that has become more complex since the conflict in Gaza began on October 7.
Despite Turkey’s trade ban with Israel, data suggests that Turkish businesses have continued to export goods to Israel through Palestine. The conflict has resulted in over 40,000 deaths, according to the Gaza health ministry.
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