Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized Israel today (Wednesday) and warned of what he called “Israeli expansion” in the region. In a speech to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara, he said that Turkey would respond “firmly and clearly” to any threat to its sovereignty and the rights of Turkish Cypriots in the eastern Mediterranean.
Erdogan also addressed the situation in Syria and Lebanon, claiming that “the security of Damascus and Beirut is Turkey’s security.” He said Ankara would not accept “finished facts” in the region and added that “we will never allow Israel to realize the ‘Promised Land’ plan.”
The president added: “Eighty-five years ago, silence and inaction in the face of Hitler led to the deaths of 80 million people around the world. All of humanity paid the price for the madness of a mad tyrant.” He said, “Today, the same mistake is being repeated. The genocidal acts of Netanyahu, the Butcher of Gaza, and his government are being observed with the same silence and lack of response that greeted Hitler in the past.
“No one should forget that when a fire grows, it does not just burn the area where it starts; its sparks spread throughout the world. Just as the whole world is paying the price today for the unresolved situation in the Strait of Hormuz, if Israel’s blockade does not end, all of humanity – along with the region – will bear the consequences.”
As you may recall, Erdogan had already renewed his harsh threats against Israel last April in a speech at a political event. According to him, if it were not for negotiations between the United States and Iran – which Pakistan is mediating – Ankara would have “shown Israel its place.”
Erdogan accused Israel of killing “hundreds of innocent Lebanese” on the day of the ceasefire, and described Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “blinded by blood and hatred.” He added that “just as we entered Libya and Karabakh, we can enter Israel. There is no reason why we should not do it. It will require strength and unity.”
These statements come against the backdrop of tensions between Turkey and Israel since the outbreak of the Iron Swords War. Erdogan, who openly supports Hamas and Hezbollah, once again used direct military language to present Turkey as the “protector” of the ‘Palestinians’ and the Lebanese. The president stressed that Turkish unity and strength are the key to a possible intervention, and hinted that Turkey is ready for direct military action if conditions allow.
In July 2024, in a similar speech in the city of Rize, Erdogan used exactly the same formula: “As we entered Karabakh, as we entered Libya – we will do the same to them.” Then, following the killing of 12 children in Migdal Shams by Hezbollah, he argued that Turkey must be “very strong” to prevent Israel from “doing nonsense to ‘Palestine’.” Also in April 2025, a senior Turkish commentator claimed on television that “the Turkish army can enter Tel Aviv in 72 hours” – a threat that echoed Erdogan’s official rhetoric.
Erdogan’s repeated threats reflect a long-standing trend of anti-Israeli incitement, including comparisons of Netanyahu to Hitler and calls for the liberation of Jerusalem. Although the threats are sometimes seen as domestic political rhetoric, they indicate a Turkish ambition to expand its military influence in the region – as it has done in Syria, Libya and Karabakh.