Israel is viewing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric with deep concern. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated during a cabinet meeting that Erdoğan’s threats are taken “absolutely seriously.” According to Times of Israel, citing sources from the Israeli prime minister’s office, Netanyahu said: “There is hardly a day that passes without Recep Tayyip Erdoğan calling for the destruction of the State of Israel.”
“We take these words very seriously—because if there is one thing we have learned from our people’s history, it is that when someone says they intend to destroy you, you must take them at their word,” Netanyahu emphasized.
The prime minister added that Israel will raise the issue with its American allies. “We will also draw the attention of our American friends to these statements. We do not ignore them,” he stressed.
Tensions Escalate Between Ankara and Tel Aviv
Netanyahu’s remarks come amid mounting tensions between Turkey and Israel. In recent weeks, Erdoğan and other senior Turkish officials have intensified their criticism of Israel. Earlier this month, Turkey’s Interior Minister called on his country to “liberate” Jerusalem—a statement that further strained bilateral relations.
Trump’s Mixed Signals on Turkey
U.S. President Donald Trump—who has repeatedly expressed favorable views toward Erdoğan—said last week that the Turkish leader might even have sided with Iran in the U.S.-Israel conflict, “because he doesn’t like Israel.” However, there has been no evidence suggesting Ankara planned any military involvement in the conflict.
At the same time, Trump revealed preparations for a new defense agreement with Turkey ahead of the upcoming NATO summit. Among other elements, the deal reportedly includes U.S. engine exports for Turkey’s indigenous KAAN fighter jets—a development that, according to Israeli media reports, has raised serious concerns in Jerusalem for months.