Türkiye has strongly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent comments on the events of 1915, denouncing them as a politically motivated distortion of history and an attempt to deflect attention from Israel’s ongoing atrocities in Palestine.

In a press release issued Wednesday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry criticized Netanyahu’s remarks as “a cynical exploitation of past tragedies for political purposes.”

“Netanyahu’s statement on the events of 1915 is an attempt to exploit past tragic events for political reasons,” the ministry declared. “Netanyahu, who is on trial for his role in the genocide committed against the Palestinian people, is attempting to cover up the crimes he and his government have committed. We condemn and reject this statement, which is incompatible with historical and legal facts.”

Türkiye’s Position on 1915 Events

Türkiye has consistently rejected claims that the 1915 events constitute genocide, instead describing them as a shared tragedy during the final years of the Ottoman Empire in which both Turks and Armenians suffered. Ankara reiterated its longstanding proposal to establish a joint historical commission to examine the events in an objective, scholarly manner.

The ministry emphasized that Netanyahu’s remarks not only distort history but also undermine reconciliation efforts, adding that such manipulations are unacceptable from a leader facing international charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Escalating Tensions with Israel

The condemnation comes at a time of heightened strain in Turkish-Israeli relations, fueled primarily by Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and its ongoing aggression in the West Bank.

Since October 2023, nearly 63,000 Palestinians have been killed, with Gaza left in ruins amid relentless bombardment and siege. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Türkiye has been among the most vocal critics of Israel’s actions. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has repeatedly called for urgent international intervention to stop the bloodshed in Gaza. Earlier this month, the Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned Israel’s approval of a settlement plan aimed at isolating East Jerusalem from the West Bank, calling it a blatant violation of international law.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s recent visits to Qatar, Egypt, and Syria were framed as part of Ankara’s efforts to rally regional support for Palestine and counter Israeli policies.

Adding to the tensions, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz recently made defamatory remarks about Erdoğan on social media, prompting Ankara to summon Israel’s envoy for an official reprimand.

Türkiye’s Ongoing Solidarity with Palestine

Türkiye’s rejection of Netanyahu’s 1915 remarks was also framed within its broader advocacy for Palestinian rights. On August 23, First Lady Emine Erdoğan addressed a letter to Melania Trump, wife of U.S. President Donald Trump, urging her to take action on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where famine, destruction, and mass displacement have left the enclave nearly uninhabitable.

Reaffirming Ankara’s stance, the Foreign Ministry stated: “Türkiye will continue to support the just struggle of the Palestinian people without compromise, and will not remain silent in the face of Israeli crimes.”

A Deepening Rift

The latest diplomatic flare-up highlights the deteriorating ties between Türkiye and Israel, which had shown signs of improvement following a meeting between Erdoğan and Netanyahu at the UN General Assembly in September 2023. However, Israel’s escalating aggression in Palestine and inflammatory rhetoric from Israeli leaders have reversed the brief thaw, replacing it with renewed confrontation.

For Ankara, Netanyahu’s comments on the 1915 events are not only a distortion of history but also a transparent attempt to distract from Israel’s accountability for its ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people. (ILKHA)