- By Chetna Shree
- Sun, 12 Apr 2026 06:08 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to attack Israel, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between the two countries. He also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being "blinded by blood and hatred."
Speaking at a political event on Saturday, he said, "Had Pakistan not been mediating in the war between the US and Iran, we would have shown Israel its place."
"Just as we entered Libya and Karabakh, we can enter Israel," Erdogan remarked.
This comes amid reports that Turkey had indicated Netanyahu, along with 35 other Israeli officials, over the naval interception of the October 2025 'Sumud' Gaza flotilla, and was seeking sentences up to 4,596 years in prison.
Netanyahu Hits Out At Turkey, Accuses Erdogan Of Massacring Own Kurdish Citizens
Hitting back at Turkey, Netanyahu said Israel would continue to fight Iran's 'terror regime' and its regional proxies, "unlike Erdogan who accommodates them and massacres his own Kurdish citizens".
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also accused Turkey of antisemitism and "sham trials" against Israeli political and military leadership.
'Hitler Of Our Time': Turkish Foreign Ministry
In response to Netanyahu's remarks against Erdogan, the Turkish Foreign Ministry described the Israeli prime minister as the "Hitler of our time".
"Netanyahu, described as ‘the Hitler of our time’, is a figure whose identity and record are well known. An arrest warrant has been issued against him by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Under Netanyahu’s leadership, Israel is being tried at the International Court of Justice on allegations of genocide," the ministry said.
Both Erdogan and Netanyahu are said to maintain close ties with US President Donald Trump. Both countries have long competed for regional influence, with Ankara developing diplomatic ties with Greece, Cyprus, and several Gulf states, while also strengthening its influence in Syria, further challenging Israel's influence.
