Turkey Denies Israeli President Airspace for COP29
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed that Turkey denied Israeli President Isaac Herzog permission to use its airspace for his trip to the UN climate change conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan. Erdogan stated, "We did not allow the Israeli president to use our airspace to attend the COP summit. We proposed alternative routes and other options." This decision underscores Turkey's ongoing tensions with Israel, particularly in light of the current conflict in Gaza. Herzog ultimately canceled his visit, citing security reasons, although no specific details were provided regarding these concerns. The Israeli presidency's statement reflected the rising anger against Israel due to its military actions in Gaza, which have drawn international condemnation.
The COP29 conference, which began on November 11 in Baku, Azerbaijan, is set to continue until November 22, gathering world leaders to discuss climate change issues. Herzog's planned visit was intended to be brief, lasting only a few hours, and took place in a region that is geopolitically sensitive, given Azerbaijan's proximity to Iran.
Erdogan Accuses Israel of State Terrorism
In a separate statement, Erdogan accused Israel of "practicing state terrorism" and emphasized Turkey's commitment to supporting the oppressed. During a press conference at the G20 summit in Brazil, he remarked on the escalating human cost of Israel's actions in Gaza, which he claims are supported by Western powers. Erdogan criticized the global response to Israel's actions, stating, "The world has not yet taken the position we were waiting for against Israel's injustice." He affirmed Turkey's resolve to continue its advocacy for the oppressed, regardless of whether it stands alone in this fight. Erdogan also highlighted that Turkey's diplomatic efforts led to strong language regarding Gaza being included in the G20 leaders' declaration.
