While hosting Iran’s Raisi, Turkey’s Erdogan avoids harsh criticism of Israel

ANKARA — Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Wednesday struck a calibrated tone vis-a-vis Israel as his Iranian guest, Ebrahim Raisi, lashed out at the Jewish state and the United States. 

The Iranian president paid his first and long-delayed visit to Ankara heading a large delegation that included Iranian foreign, energy and interior ministers. Following four hours of meetings, the Erdogan-Raisi press conference largely focused on the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas but with different messaging. 

Erdogan struck a restrained tone in the presser and avoided repeating his usual sharp criticism of the Jewish state.

“The Palestinian issue remains the focus for both Turkey and Iran,” he said. “During our talks, we discussed the need to end Israel’s inhumane attacks on Gaza as soon as possible and to take urgent steps toward the establishment of a fair and lasting peace.”