Netanyahu Warns of Erdogan's Rhetoric, Israel to Alert US
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning during a cabinet session regarding the rhetoric of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which he claims calls for the destruction of Israel. Netanyahu stated that Israel takes these threats very seriously and plans to draw the attention of the United States to the matter.
According to Hebrew media reports confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Office to The Times of Israel, Netanyahu stressed that Erdogan’s calls for Israel’s destruction cannot be ignored. “Hardly a day goes by without Erdogan calling for the destruction of the State of Israel. We take these words very seriously. If there is one thing we have learned from the history of our people, it is that when someone says they intend to destroy you, you must take it seriously,” Netanyahu told cabinet members.
He added that Israel will not remain silent and will ensure its main ally, the United States, is aware of these statements. “We will also draw the attention of our American friends to these comments. We are not ignoring them,” he asserted.
Relations between Jerusalem and Ankara have continued to deteriorate since the outbreak of war triggered by the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023. Erdogan has been one of the most vocal world leaders in criticising Israel, accusing it of genocide in Gaza and supporting ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders.
Some reports indicated that in March 2025, Erdogan called for the destruction of the Zionist Israel during a prayer marking the end of Ramadan. Additionally, Turkey’s Interior Minister recently called for the liberation of Jerusalem.
Netanyahu’s move to involve the US comes amid complex dynamics between US President Donald Trump and Erdogan. Last week, Trump speculated that Erdogan might support Iran in a conflict against Israel due to his dislike of the Jewish state, although Turkey has shown no indication of preparing for military involvement in the conflict.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is reportedly preparing a massive arms sale to Turkey ahead of the upcoming NATO summit. The package includes F-35 stealth fighter jets and dozens of engines, a prospect that has caused deep concern in Jerusalem for several months.