People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
It seems like Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has forgotten that basic rule. Maybe his success in recent years in eradicating any remnant of democracy in his country, as well as repeatedly excoriating others without any response from his colleagues or opponents at home or abroad has turned his head.
The only ruler Erdogan respects is Russian President Vladimir Putin. After Turkish aircraft downed a Russian fighter jet in Syria three years ago, Erdogan put aside his own honor and rushed to apologize to Putin. There is only one thing that Erdogan understands, and that is the language of strength.
There is nothing new in the tongue-lashing Erdogan just directed against Israel. This is what he's been doing since he rose to power. His hatred of Israel stems from political considerations: hammering away at the Jews to gain popularity at home and support in the Muslim world. But it is also anchored in fundamental anti-Semitism, which he does not attempt to hide. Thus far, Israel has refrained from holding him accountable, figuring that he is just babbling and there is nothing behind his lofty words. The bilateral economic ties between Israel and Turkey that continue to flourish are proof of that.
But it appears that Israel has reached the conclusion that there is no chance for dialogue or cooperation with Erdogan's Turkey on matters of diplomacy or security. Aside from that, Turkey is on the opposite side of many of the conflicts in which Israel is involved, such as the fight against Hamas.
Israel might finally have realized that the only language Erdogan understands is a dialogue of power. If it is permissible for Erdogan to condemn Israel and call it an "occupier" and a "terrorist [state] that carries out acts of slaughter," Israel could remind the Turks of a few historical truths. Most nations of the world have acknowledged the Turkish genocide of the Armenians in World War I as well as not only urging Erdogan to restore democracy to his country but also recognize the rights of its Kurdish minority and the Kurds in Iraq and Syria. Erdogan, as we all know, calls the Kurds "terrorists" and is waging a battle to the death against them in Turkey and Syria. Finally, no country in the world recognizes Turkey's military presence in northern Cyprus, which has been ongoing since the Turks first occupied the region some four decades ago.
In addition to Israel, Erdogan attacks the U.S., a major ally, and take special pleasure in humiliating it. Washington, like Israel, has preferred to turn the other cheek. It would be interesting to find out whether Prime Minister's aggressive response was coordinated with and known to – possibly even encouraged by – the Trump administration, which also has a growing score to settle with the Turkish leader.
