Israel is surrounded by terrorist groups that seek its annihilation, and the Israeli government is warning that Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons could enable these ambitions. But recent comments by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan show Israel is facing an even greater threat.

On July 28, Erdoğan warned: “We must be very strong so that Israel can’t do these ridiculous things to Palestine. Just like we entered Karabakh, just like we entered Libya, we might do similar to them.”

This no small threat. Turkey has the second-largest military force in nato, Western weaponry and access to American nuclear bombs stationed in the nation. In 2023, Turkey announced a 150 percent increase to its military budget, bringing it to $40 billion. Iran generally spends about one fourth of that.

Turkey is in a strategic position to seriously harm Israel. The Turkish Armed Forces are active in neighboring countries such as Iraq and Syria. It has a large military presence in Qatar and Somalia and tens of thousands of soldiers in northern Cyprus.

Erdoğan’s comment was not a one-off. Since October 7, he has called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “psychopath,” “bloodthirsty” and a “vampire.” He also compared him to Adolf Hitler. Under Erdoğan’s leadership, Turkey halted all trade with Israel and announced that it would join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

Many believe Erdoğan will not make good on his threat; he is known for verbal attacks. Wolfram Weimer wrote for Germany’s N-tv.de:

The Turkish president threatens Israel with war and positions himself as the military leader of Islam. His threat is hardly being taken seriously in Europe. This could be a fatal mistake because Erdoğan is ruthless, has the second-largest army in nato and, like [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, is intent on historic deeds. …

In fact, Gaza once belonged to the Ottoman Empire. Erdoğan’s megalomania is based on restoring Ottoman greatness, much like Putin wants to restore the Soviet empire. …

At the end of his election campaign, he visited Hagia Sophia to perform his last evening prayer before the elections and show the Turks what his religiously aggressive program means. His propaganda newspapers praised the provocation as a “harbinger of the liberation of the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the Muslims are leaving the phase of interregnum.”

Erdoğan’s threats and hatred are worrying.

Unmatched Hatred

In our July Trumpet issue, editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote:

Psalm 83 describes an alliance of nations filled with unspeakable hatred. Though the world doesn’t realize it, these nations are on the scene today—and are bracing for war.

In a 2011 article titled “A Mysterious Prophecy,” Mr. Flurry warned:

The leader of Iran … has vowed to wipe the Jewish nation off the map. The enemies of Psalm 83 have what appears to be an even deeper hatred. They even want to obliterate the biblical name of Israel forever!

Verses 3-4 of Psalm 83 read: “They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.”

As Mr. Flurry explained, one nation in this alliance is Edom, modern-day Turkey. Erdoğan’s recent comments display the hatred described in this prophecy. Will this hatred result in a military strike?

One of Turkey’s allies, Germany, is an advocate for Israel at the moment. Mr. Flurry explained in “The Hidden Danger in Germany’s ‘Alliance Against Iran’” that this relationship must be understood in light of Bible prophecy.

Enter Germany

In April, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called Erdoğan a “valuable friend.” After Erdoğan’s recent threats, Bild asked Steinmeier’s office if he would change his stance. The answer: No.

Germany officially has a different stance on Israel, but its relationship with Turkey is telling.

Germany historically called for the destruction of the Jewish people and inspired others to follow. Many believe Germany has changed, but Psalm 83 says it has not.

“Assyria also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot” (verse 8; Revised Standard Version). Assyria is the ancient name of Germany (read Germany and the Holy Roman Empire). “Germany is the ‘strong arm’ of the whole army, or armies, you could say,” wrote Mr. Flurry.

This indicates Germany will likely restrain Turkey and other allies until the opportune time. The Bible reveals that these nations are already conspiring behind the scenes.

While it is easy to see Turkey’s blatant hatred, it is impossible to understand this larger conspiracy without the Bible’s revelation and faith in God’s Word. For this reason, the late Herbert W. Armstrong, whose legacy the Trumpet follows, wrote The Proof of the Bible. This booklet proves the Bible’s accuracy and shows that we can trust its prophecies beyond a shadow of a doubt. Request your free copy.