JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has sharply criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after Turkey sought an international arrest warrant for Netanyahu.
The statement comes amid growing tensions between Israel and Turkey over Israel’s recent military action in Syria and Ankara’s legal move against the Israeli prime minister.
Netanyahu’s Office Accuses Erdogan of Aggression
Netanyahu’s office accused Erdogan of attempting to extend what it described as Turkish aggression against Israel into Syria.
“Israel will not tolerate it,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
The statement followed an Israeli strike on a Syrian airbase. Israel has linked its concerns to the possible deployment of Turkish forces in Syria.
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Israel Attacks Erdogan in Strong Terms
Netanyahu’s office repeated several longstanding Israeli accusations against Erdogan.
It described the Turkish president as an “antisemitic dictator” and accused him of policies involving the Kurds, Hamas, Cyprus and political opponents.
The Israeli statement also accused Erdogan’s government of detaining large numbers of journalists and politicians who oppose him.
These claims reflect Israel’s increasingly hostile rhetoric toward the Turkish leadership.
Turkey Seeks Arrest Warrant for Netanyahu
The Israeli statement came only hours after Turkey announced an international arrest warrant for Netanyahu.
Turkish authorities are investigating Israel’s interception of an activist flotilla carrying humanitarian aid toward Gaza.
Turkey says the case involves alleged crimes against activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek also said Ankara had requested action toward an Interpol Red Notice.
Israel Rejects Turkey’s Pressure
Netanyahu’s office dismissed Turkey’s legal action as an attempt to intimidate Israeli leaders and military personnel.
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It said the effort would not prevent Israel from taking action to protect its security.
In a separate statement in Hebrew, the Prime Minister’s Office said Israel would continue to act against what it called Turkish attempts to destabilize the region.
Israel-Turkey Relations Continue to Deteriorate
Relations between Israel and Turkey were once relatively close.
However, ties have deteriorated sharply since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and the subsequent Israeli war in Gaza.
The two countries have since exchanged increasingly strong accusations over Gaza and regional security.
The latest dispute over Syria and Turkey’s legal action against Netanyahu could further deepen the diplomatic divide.
