Called Anti-Semitic Dictator, President Erdogan Says Netanyahu Follows Hitler's Footsteps

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (Source: Presidency of The Republic of Turkiye)

JAKARTA - Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday called Benjamin Netanyahu "following in Hitler's footsteps", after the Israeli leader called the Turkish President a "fascist dictator" who had committed "genocide" against the Kurds.

Relations between Israel and Turkey have deteriorated since the Gaza war began in October 2023, with both countries regularly accusing each other of genocide and public insults.

The latest exchange came after President Erdogan on Wednesday said Israel's actions in Lebanon and Syria were a threat to Turkey's security.

"Turkish security does not start only in (the southernmost province) Hatay, but starts in Aleppo, in Damascus, and in Beirut," he said, warning Turkey "will not tolerate any fait accompli in our neighboring countries" - which is understood as Israel creating a new, irreversible reality on the ground, Al Arabiya reported from AFP (12/6).

Netanyahu responded, promising to continue military action wherever necessary to address the security threat from Iran and its proxies.

"The anti-Semitic dictator Erdogan, who carried out genocide against the Kurds, supports the Hamas terrorist organization, oppresses his own people and jails his political opponents, is the last person who can lecture Israel on morality," he said in a statement.

"Israel will continue to take firm action against Iran and its proxies, which threaten the Middle East and the entire world," he continued.

President Erdogan, who has often accused the Netanyahu government of genocide in Gaza and his main diplomat warned that the government might do the same in Lebanon, responded on Thursday.

"Those who follow Hitler's path must not forget that their fate will be like that of other tyrants in history," he said.

"Under the current administration, Israel has become a factory of misery, driven only by blood and tears, and produces nothing but instability and chaos," he said, vowing to "ensure that the perpetrators of the massacre are held accountable."

Israel has been bombing southern Lebanon since the Hezbollah militia began firing missiles into northern Israel on March 2, dragging Lebanon into the Middle East war.

Despite a brief pause for an April truce, fighting continued despite ongoing talks in Washington to end the violence.

Israel is also active in Syria, launching hundreds of attacks and regular raids south, where they demand a demilitarised zone.

Meanwhile, Turkey has been trying to end its conflict with the Kurdish militant group PKK, which last year renounced its armed struggle against Ankara after four decades of violence that killed at least 50,000 people on both sides.