Lindsey Graham Calls Turkey 'The Squad' of NATO Following Erdogan's Israel Critiques

Graham's comments follow Turkish President Erdogan's shift from condemning Hamas to denouncing Israel's military response, heightening tensions and prompting Israel to recall its diplomats from Turkey for reevaluation of relations.

Senator Lindsey Graham has criticized Turkey, equating its stance on NATO with the progressive U.S. House members collectively known as 'The Squad'. He called Turkey's foreign policy 'disappointing and destabilizing' due to its shifting stance on Hamas and Israel.
Turkey's President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, had transitioned from reporting Hamas as terrorists to calling them 'freedom fighters'. He also labelled Israel as a war criminal, following their military response to Hamas.
This shift was accompanied by the political rhetoric of 'The Squad' in the U.S., members of whom, such as Rep. Rashida Tlaib, have criticized Israeli responses to the Hamas attacks and have expressed doubts about the established narrative surrounding the airstrike on the Gaza hospital.
In response to Erdogan's statements calling Israel a war criminal, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen declared a recall of Israeli diplomats from Turkey in order to reevaluate their diplomatic relations.
The unfolding conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in a considerable death toll, with more than 8,700 people killed in Gaza and Israel since Hamas launched its attack on Israel in October.