‘Erdogan antisemitic dictator’

Bibi’s remark follows Turkiye minister’s ‘Liberation of Jerusalem’ barb

Turkiye remains one of Israel’s strongest critics over the conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.

Tel Aviv: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has hit back at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the latter criticised Israel’ military actions, calling him an “antisemitic dictator” who “supports the Hamas terrorist organisation, oppresses his own people and imprisons political rivals”.

The row follows remarks by Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci, who said Turkiye wou­ld one day witness the “liberation of Jerusalem” and see it “under our sovereignty and dominion once more”. 

Israel’s foreign ministry responded sharply, saying the “corrupt Ottoman Empire is gone. Forever”, and Jerusalem would remain the country’s “eternal capital”.

Erdogan, meanwhile, warned that Israel’s actions in Syria and Lebanon had reached a point where they “also threaten Turkiye”. He urged stronger international action, saying: “Pulling Israel back within the bounds of the rule of law has become a sha­red duty, for all of humanity.”

Netanyahu to run for re-election

Israel’s Netanyahu will seek re-election later this year, his Likud party announced, in a move that comes despite slipping public support at home over Lebanon attacks, mounting pressure from the opposition and recent signs of friction with US President Donald Trump, who days earlier had cast doubt on whether Netanyahu would run again.

Netanyahu’s Likud Party said he would run in the election and, God willing, would win. The schedule has not yet been announced but the election must be held by October.

Earlier, ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl said on X Trump had told him he did not know if Netanyahu would stand. “I don’t know, he’s had an amazing career. Does he want to continue?” Trump told the media. —Agencies