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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pushed back against recent remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning that no country or leader can threaten Türkiye, while also calling for renewed diplomatic efforts to sustain the cease-fire in the Iran conflict.
"To those baby killers who target me and my country on social media, I remind them once again of certain facts: The Republic of Türkiye is not an ordinary state," Erdogan said in a speech to his party’s parliamentary group, condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
Netanyahu targeted Erdogan in a post on X on Saturday, writing that "Israel under my leadership will continue to fight Iran’s terror regime and its proxies, unlike Erdogan, who accommodates them and massacred his own Kurdish citizens."
In response, Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry said Netanyahu’s record "speaks for itself," describing him as a figure widely compared to Hitler and pointing to International Criminal Court arrest warrants issued in November 2024 on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. It also noted that Israel faces genocide allegations before the International Court of Justice.
President Erdogan, reacting to the remarks, argued that those opposing Türkiye’s efforts to end decades of terrorism are no longer concealing their discomfort with the process.
"Without looking at the blood of 73,000 Gazans on their hands and faces, they shamelessly slander our country through our Kurdish brothers," he said. "We will not fall into this trap."
Erdogan welcomed a 15-day cease-fire declared after 40 days of conflict, calling it a rare moment of relief that allowed both civilians and the wider international community to "breathe" after weeks of escalation.
Ankara is continuing efforts to reduce tensions, extend the cease-fire, and keep talks alive, Erdogan noted, pointing out that the process has reached a difficult stage, especially on nuclear issues, while tensions are rising again in the Strait of Hormuz.
He stressed that "negotiations cannot proceed with clenched fists," warning that weapons must not replace dialogue and that the opportunity created by the cease-fire "must be utilized to the fullest."
However, he indicated that ongoing Israeli attacks in Lebanon have already cast doubt on prospects for lasting peace, stressing that "the Israeli government, which is known to be uncomfortable with the cease-fire, must not be allowed to sabotage the process."
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Erdogan maintained any peace in the region would have to be achieved "despite this Zionist regime," adding that stability would also depend on overcoming policies driven by "the delusion of promised lands." He further argued that lasting peace would come despite Israel’s approach of tying its own security to the insecurity of others.
He maintained that Israel has repeatedly attempted to disrupt peace efforts whenever progress appears possible, adding that Türkiye will continue to act with "dignity, honor, and courage" and speak openly even in difficult times.
"We will continue to be the voice of innocent children in Gaza. We will continue to listen to the cries of Palestinian mothers whose hearts burn with the pain of losing their children. We will continue to defend the rights of our brothers whose lands are occupied in the West Bank. We will continue to follow the case of children killed in their beds in Lebanon," Erdogan said.
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