Türkiye has strongly condemned remarks from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu targeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, accusing the Israeli government of using political rhetoric to divert attention from allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In a statement issued in response to the Israeli remarks, the Turkish government described the comments directed at Erdoğan as lacking historical basis and political seriousness.
Ankara said the Israeli government’s response demonstrated what it described as its concern over Türkiye’s continued criticism of Israel and Erdoğan’s outspoken position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“The outrageous ravings of the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office targeting our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, devoid of historical fact and political seriousness, are yet another indication of the helplessness of an administration seeking to evade accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity,” the Turkish government said.
Ankara Accuses Netanyahu of Political Opportunism
Türkiye also accused Netanyahu and his political allies of using attacks against Erdoğan to gain domestic political advantage, particularly amid what Ankara described as an increasingly security-focused Israeli election campaign.
According to the Turkish government, portraying Türkiye as a new threat is part of a broader political strategy aimed at strengthening Netanyahu’s position among Israeli voters.
Ankara said such rhetoric would have little impact on Türkiye or the wider international community.
Türkiye further argued that Israel’s criticism of Erdoğan was evidence that Ankara’s position on the conflict was causing concern within the Israeli government.
The Turkish government said Israel was facing international scrutiny over allegations of serious violations of international law, including accusations of genocide, and maintained that Türkiye would continue to raise its voice on the issue.
Warning Over Regional Stability
The Turkish government also warned that escalating political rhetoric and attempts to create external threats for domestic political purposes could have consequences beyond Israel.
It said Israel’s political campaign was increasingly being shaped by what it called “irresponsible security-driven populism” and hard-line rhetoric centred on threats.
According to Ankara, attempts to portray Türkiye as a security threat could increase tensions and undermine stability in the Middle East and beyond.
Türkiye warned that such an approach posed risks not only to Israeli society but also to regional and global peace.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to opposing what it described as oppression and supporting peace, justice and stability in the region.
“Türkiye will continue, as it has in the past, to stand against the oppressor and with the oppressed, and to resolutely defend peace, justice and stability in our region, whatever the cost,” the statement said.
Netanyahu Calls Erdoğan an “Antisemitic Dictator”
The latest diplomatic confrontation followed a sharply worded statement from Netanyahu’s office in response to Türkiye’s move to seek an Interpol red notice for the Israeli prime minister over the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Netanyahu’s office described Erdoğan as an “antisemitic dictator” and accused the Turkish president of supporting Hamas and targeting political opponents and journalists in Türkiye.
The Israeli government also accused Erdoğan of attempting to extend his confrontation with Israel into Syria.
“Erdoğan is an antisemitic dictator who has massacred Kurds, harbors Hamas terrorists, occupies half of Cyprus, and jails record numbers of journalists and politicians who oppose him. He now seeks to extend his aggression against Israel into Syria. Israel will not tolerate it,” Netanyahu’s office said.
The statement also dismissed Türkiye’s legal action against Israeli officials, describing it as an attempt to intimidate Israel’s political and military leadership.
Türkiye Seeks Interpol Red Notice
The dispute intensified after Türkiye announced that it had requested an Interpol red notice for Netanyahu in connection with an investigation into the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Türkiye’s Justice Minister, Akin Gurlek, said the request followed arrest warrants issued by a Turkish court against Netanyahu and other Israeli officials over the incident.
Gurlek said the Interior Ministry had been instructed to pursue the red notices for Netanyahu and Israeli security official Avik Moskowitz.
The development has added another layer to already strained relations between Türkiye and Israel, as Ankara continues to strongly oppose Israel’s military actions and humanitarian policies in Gaza while maintaining Erdoğan’s outspoken criticism of the Israeli government.
The latest exchange highlights the widening diplomatic and legal confrontation between the two countries, with Türkiye insisting that international accountability must be pursued while Israel rejects Ankara’s accusations and portrays its actions as politically motivated.
