Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a fresh criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy during an iftar dinner hosted by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara. The event brought together former MPs, members of the party’s Central Committee, and parliamentary group representatives.
Erdoğan claimed growing domestic discontent in Israel over Netanyahu’s policies — including among Israelis who now spend every night in shelters. He stated bluntly: “Even the Israeli people, who take refuge every night, are now openly declaring that Netanyahu is the greatest catastrophe they have faced since the Holocaust.”
On regional developments, Erdoğan emphasized Turkey’s consistent commitment to diplomatic conflict resolution and stressed that Ankara does not seek to exploit regional instability. “We can never regard others’ suffering as our gain. We have no intention of benefiting from others’ pain. Our position on the Iran crisis is absolutely clear and unequivocal: Turkey stands firmly with diplomacy — not war.”
The Turkish president confirmed that Ankara is engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions, securing a ceasefire, and bringing all parties back to the negotiating table. “As Turkey, we are making intense efforts to pull hands away from provocations, achieve a ceasefire, and bring the sides back to the negotiation table.”
Erdoğan warned of the risk of further escalation across the region and underscored the urgency of immediate de-escalation. “What concerns us is how to extinguish this fire before the flames grow larger, before the ring of fire spreads further, before more lives are lost, and before more blood is spilled.”