Photo: EPA
An Israeli lawmaker called him a “megalomaniac dictator,” following escalating tensions between Turkey and Israel.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Turkey could resort to military action against Israel if necessary, comparing such a scenario to past Turkish operations in Nagorno-Karabakh and Libya. The remarks were reported by The Jerusalem Post.
Erdoğan accused Israel of committing atrocities against Palestinians and Lebanon and warned of a potential military response.
Speaking at a conference of Asian political parties in Istanbul, he said:
“Blood-stained networks of genocide continue to kill innocent children, women, and civilians without any rules or principles, ignoring all human values.”
He also claimed that, despite a ceasefire, Israel forced 1.2 million Lebanese people to flee their homes due to strikes on civilian infrastructure. Israel and the United States reject claims that Lebanon is part of any ceasefire arrangement with Iran.
Erdoğan also called Israel’s actions “barbaric” and referenced a controversial Israeli Knesset bill introducing the death penalty for terrorists, which he claimed targets Palestinian prisoners.
Later, responding to journalists, he further escalated his rhetoric, suggesting possible military confrontation:
“We must be strong so Israel cannot do this to Palestine. Just as we entered Karabakh and Libya, we can do the same here. Nothing prevents us. We just need to be strong enough to take these steps.”
His remarks are seen as part of a broader political stance positioning Turkey as a defender of Palestinian rights.
Israeli response
Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu strongly responded, accusing Erdoğan of hypocrisy and highlighting Turkey’s own territorial disputes and historical issues.
He referenced Northern Cyprus, Kurdish regions, and allegations regarding the Armenian genocide, calling Erdoğan’s statements “hypocritical” and accusing him of authoritarian tendencies.
Eliyahu also described Erdoğan as a “megalomaniac dictator” with “imperial ambitions,” and suggested Israel should reconsider or even sever diplomatic relations with Turkey.
Background escalation
The exchange followed a Turkish court decision issuing indictments against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 35 other officials, including Defense Minister Israel Katz and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The case relates to the interception of the Gaza flotilla Sumud in October 2025, which Turkish prosecutors described as a military operation against civilians in international waters. Activists, including Greta Thunberg, were detained by Israeli authorities.
Turkey issued arrest warrants, further worsening diplomatic tensions.
Israel rejected the accusations and accused Turkey of hypocrisy and interference in regional conflicts.
Israeli officials responded sharply, with some calling Erdoğan a “paper tiger.” Social media exchanges included offensive remarks, while Turkey’s Foreign Ministry responded by comparing Netanyahu to “Hitler of our time.”
