By Abdulkadir Selvi
Since that date, I have counted at least 15 times that President Trump has spoken of President Erdoğan with praise. He has not engaged in empty rhetoric; rather, he has touched upon Erdoğan’s role in international crises. There is a distinct significance in Trump telling arch-enemies of Erdoğan, such as Netanyahu, to their faces that he is a friend of Erdoğan.
Netanyahu’s Face
Trump said: “President Erdoğan is my friend. I know him closely. I have great respect for him. Netanyahu respects him too. I don’t think there will be a problem between them. I have accomplished things with President Erdoğan that no one else could. I stand by him. I am with him until the end.” While he was saying this, I looked at Netanyahu’s face; although he tried not to show any emotion, he was devastated inside.
Israel is doing everything it can to destabilize Syria. It is bombing the capital, Damascus. Trump, however, said right next to Netanyahu: “President Erdoğan helped us get rid of a very bad Syrian leader. We are struggling to give him the credit he deserves. President Erdoğan must be given his due. President Erdoğan saved Syria.” What more could he say?
This, of course, stems from Turkey’s importance. But one must give credit where credit is due; Erdoğan’s global leadership plays a huge role in this.
Israeli and Greek Press
The words Trump spoke about President Erdoğan during his reception of Netanyahu shook the press in Greece and Israel. They found coverage in the West as well. The common point of the reports was Trump’s interest in President Erdoğan. The Israeli press reported this through the lens of Netanyahu, while the Greek press did so by making references to Mitsotakis.
The Israelis understood, the Greeks understood, Mitsotakis understood, and even Netanyahu understood—but the “Erdoğan-foes” among us failed to understand.
As Trump praises Erdoğan, the sworn enemies of Erdoğan here become uncomfortable. They try to downplay it. They strive to present it as insignificant and ordinary, as if past US presidents had showered our presidents with such praise.
Source: https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yazarlar/abdulkadir-selvi/bu-bir-erdogan-trump-yazisidir-43072957
