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Turkologist Ruben Safrastyan has called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s latest statement on Israel “provocative”.

Erdogan said on Sunday that Turkey might enter Israel as it had done in the past in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh.

"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," Erdogan told a meeting of his ruling AK Party in his hometown of Rize.

In an interview to Panorama.am on Tuesday, Safrastyan stated that Erdogan’s remarks were aimed at distracting the Turkish people’s focus from the grave domestic socio-economic situation, as well as drumming up more support from those with a Muslim mindset.

“In foreign politics, Turkey sought to demonstrate its great influence in the Middle East, claiming to be the leader of the Islamic world and the protector of Islamic countries,” the expert opined.

“It’s certainly not the case, but Erdogan is trying to create such an impression. I consider the statement provocative given the mounting tensions in the Middle East which could further escalate,” Safrastyan added.