Erdogan Calls for Islamic Alliance Against Israeli Expansionism

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan advocates for a coalition of Islamic countries to counter Israel's expansionism, citing the recent killing of a Turkish-American woman during a protest. Erdogan emphasized that Turkey's efforts to mend ties with Egypt and Syria aim to bolster regional solidarity amid expanding threats.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called on Islamic nations to form an alliance against what he termed as 'the growing threat of expansionism' from Israel. Erdogan's comments came after Palestinian and Turkish officials reported the death of a Turkish-American woman, allegedly killed by Israeli troops during a protest in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

'The only step that will stop Israeli arrogance, Israeli banditry, and Israeli state terrorism is the alliance of Islamic countries,' Erdogan declared at an Islamic schools' association event near Istanbul. He noted that recent diplomatic moves by Turkey to strengthen ties with Egypt and Syria aim to create a unified front against regional expansionism, a threat he believes also impacts Lebanon and Syria.

This week, Erdogan hosted Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Ankara, where discussions centered on the Gaza war and improving their long-frozen relationship in the first presidential visit between the two countries in 12 years. Erdogan also mentioned the possibility of inviting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for talks to restore ties severed in 2011. Israel's military and Prime Minister's office have yet to comment on the latest incident involving the Turkish-American woman.

(With inputs from agencies.)