Türkiye-Israel Tensions Escalate as Israel Calls Erdogan an “Anti-Semitic Dictator”

Web Desk: Israel’s Foreign Minister has accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of being an “anti-Semitic dictator” following Erdogan’s apparent call for the destruction of the Zionist state. Gideon Sa’ar claimed that Erdogan is “dangerous” for the region.

After attending Eid Al-Fitr prayers at a mosque in Istanbul, Erdogan said, “May Allah, for the sake of His name ‘Al-Qahhar’ [‘the Conqueror’], destroy and devastate Zionist Israel.” He also prayed, “May we all, witnessing what is happening there [in Gaza], stay united, strong, and resilient as brothers; may Allah keep our unity everlasting.”

His remarks sparked outrage within Israeli media and political circles. Sa’ar responded in Turkish on his X (formerly Twitter) account, stating, “The dictator Erdogan has revealed his anti-Semitic face. As is clearly seen these days, Erdogan is dangerous both for the region and for his own people.” He further added, “We hope that the countries in the NATO alliance will understand this – and hopefully sooner rather than later.”

This incident is the latest in the ongoing diplomatic and verbal clashes between Ankara and Tel Aviv in recent weeks—part of a broader conflict that has escalated since Israel’s latest invasion and genocide in Gaza, which began in October 2023.

Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry condemned Israel’s airstrikes in Lebanon on Friday, stating, “These attacks expose Israel’s blatant disregard for international law and its ongoing threat to regional security and stability. The international community must stand united against Israel’s efforts to create a perpetual state of conflict in the region.”

In response, Israel’s Foreign Ministry lashed out at Erdogan on Saturday, accusing him of hypocrisy, saying he “preaches lofty values to the international community” while “violently suppressing his own citizens and carrying out mass arrests of political opponents.”