Turkish police pepper spray protesters in Istanbul
Police officers seen pepper spraying protesters as people gathered in support of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu near the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality building, in Istanbul, Turkey, March 23, 2025. (Credit: Reuters)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reportedly called for the destruction of Israel during Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Çamlıca Mosque in Istanbul on Sunday.
The Jerusalem Post reported that Erdoğan said “May Allah, for the sake of his name ‘Al-Qahhar,’ destroy and devastate Zionist Israel.” His call for the annihilation of the Jewish state has drawn fierce condemnation, particularly from Israeli officials.
In response to his remarks, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated on X, “The dictator Erdogan revealed his antisemitic face,” adding that “Erdogan is dangerous to the region, as well as to his own people, as has been proven in recent days,” Sa’ar referred to the widespread protests in Turkey and added, “Let’s hope NATO members understand how dangerous he is, and not before it’s too late.”
Following his comments, Turkey’s foreign ministry issued a statement that read, in part, “We categorically reject the outrageous statement made by the Foreign Minister of the Netanyahu government.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan speaks to the attendees during a rally to show their solidarity with the Palestinians, in Istanbul on Saturday, Oct. 28. (AP/Emrah Gurel)
“These disrespectful and baseless allegations are part of an effort to cover up the crimes committed by Netanyahu and his associates,” adding, “We will continue to stand by the innocent civilians targeted by Israel and to defend their rights.”
In a social media post, Israel’s foreign ministry demanded clarity on whether Erdoğan denies his antisemitic views, emphasizing the president’s problematic actions both domestically and internationally.
“What bothered the Turkish Foreign Ministry? Here’s a way to clarify the dictator’s words: Clearly state that Erdogan is not an antisemite, that he is not an obsessive hater of the Jewish state.”
The post underscores the growing concern over Erdoğan’s intentions toward Israel.
The tensions between Turkey and Israel go beyond Erdoğan’s support for Hamas, although that remains a central issue. Hamas, which carried out the brutal massacre of more than 1,200 Israelis on October 7, 2023, has long had Turkish backing. Erdoğan’s refusal to denounce Hamas, describing them as a legitimate political party, has angered Israel and much of the international community.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, right, with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in March 2022.
The diplomatic relationship between Turkey and the U.S. has also been under scrutiny. While Turkey’s domestic actions, like cracking down on political opponents, including the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem İmamoglu, have sparked unprecedented protests, U.S. officials are attempting to stabilize relations. On March 26, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, discussing Turkey’s potential support for a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire and other geopolitical issues, despite recent internal turmoil.
“Turkey’s strongman Recep Tayyip Erdogan is facing the worst domestic political crisis of his career. The streets are flooded now with protesters who are outraged over the arrest of opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu, restrictions on the internet, and other authoritarian maneuvers,” Jonathan Schanzer, executive director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital.
People chant slogans as they protest the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in Istanbul on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
“To deflect, Erdogan has engaged in blistering rhetoric against Israel. This comes amidst Erdoğan’s unflinching financial and political support for Hamas since the October 7 war erupted, not to mention Erdoğan’s support for the al-Qaeda government in Syria, which also poses a threat to Israel,” Schanzer said.
The tensions between Turkey and Israel are not limited to Hamas support. Erdoğan’s actions in Syria, where Turkey has backed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, who overthrew the Assad regime and gained control over parts of the country, have further strained relations with Israel, leading to growing concerns over Ankara’s role in fostering instability on Israel’s borders.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, center, meets with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, left, and the former Hamas terror chief Ismail Haniyeh at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkiye, on July 26, 2023. ( Mustafa Kamaci/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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Before Erdoğan’s most recent threats against Israel, Trump administration officials had indicated that they may lift restrictions on defense contracts with Turkey, including the potential reinstatement of Turkey’s F-35 program participation. This comes after a phone call between Presidents Trump and Erdoğan on March 21, which may pave the way for a change in policy that could potentially allow the sale of the F-35s to Ankara.
As a NATO member, Turkey plays a pivotal role in the alliance’s security framework.