Turkish President Erdogan Ramps Up Anti‑Israel Rhetoric and Orders Detention of Comedian Over Insults

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that Israel’s government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, is “addicted to war” and accused it of trying to sabotage the U.S.–Iran nuclear‑accord, which was brokered with Pakistan’s help. Speaking in Istanbul alongside Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Erdogan said any lasting peace in the Middle East must involve regional powers and condemned Israeli military actions in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. He also highlighted plans to deepen Turkish‑Pakistani cooperation in energy, transport, critical minerals and defence, aiming to raise bilateral trade to $5 billion.

In a separate case, a Turkish court ordered the pre‑trial detention of stand‑up comedian Deniz Goktaş after prosecutors said his routines insulted President Erdogan and violated religious values. Goktaş was detained at Istanbul Airport upon returning from an overseas trip. Authorities cited 185 complaints about a June performance that referenced the president, the Qur’an and Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The comedian denies any criminal intent, describing his remarks as political satire rather than blasphemy.