Netanyahu brands Erdogan ‘antisemitic dictator’ who supports Hamas after Turkish leader condemned Israeli strikes

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hits back at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s condemnation of Israeli “aggression” in the region, accusing his Turkish counterpart of being an “antisemitic dictator” unfit to criticize Israel.

“The antisemitic dictator Erdogan, who is carrying out genocide against the Kurds, supports the Hamas terrorist organization, oppresses his own people, and imprisons political opponents, is the last person who can preach morality to Israel,” the premier says in a Hebrew-language statement.

“Israel and the IDF, the most moral army in the world, will continue to act with strength against Iran and its proxies, which threaten the Middle East and the entire world,” Netanyahu adds.

Some human rights groups and Western governments have long accused Turkey of repressing political opponents. Ankara has also faced criticism over its military campaigns against Kurdish groups in Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, though it rejects allegations of genocide. Israel has frequently accused Erdogan of supporting Hamas, many of whose leaders are hosted in Turkey. The president has praised the group’s terrorists as “freedom fighters” while condemning Israel, including by comparing it to Nazi Germany and likening Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler.

Erdogan said earlier today that Israel’s attacks on Syria and Lebanon have reached a point where they also threaten Turkey, adding Israel’s “aggression” poses a threat to the whole world and must be stopped.