Erdogan: Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Syria have reached a point where they also threaten Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned against harm to Turkish rights in the Mediterranean and said, "Our response will be strong and clear." Erdogan also added, "Israel's aggression poses a threat to the entire world." Netanyahu responded, "The last person who can preach morality." Turkey's interior minister also said he hopes for the liberation of Jerusalem and its return to Turkish rule.

Published by N12: 10.06.26, 13:16 | Updated: 10.06.26, 14:39

"Israel's aggression poses a threat to the entire world" | Photo: AP

In brief Erdogan claimed that the strikes in Syria and Lebanon threaten Turkey's security. "Israel's aggression poses a threat to the entire world," he added. The Turkish president warned against harm to Turkish rights in the Mediterranean. The Turkish interior minister: I hope for Jerusalem's return to Turkish rule in the future. Erdogan called on Israel not to "chase adventures" in the Mediterranean region.

Turkish President Erdogan sharply attacked Israel's actions in the region today and warned of their consequences for his country's security. In his remarks, the Turkish president referred to tensions in the eastern Mediterranean and the fighting in the various arenas. "We are seeing 'mischievous' initiatives led by Israel also in the Mediterranean," Erdogan said. "No one should be chasing adventures in this area." He added that Israel's strikes in Syria and Lebanon have reached a point where they directly threaten Turkey as well.

Erdogan made clear that Turkey would not tolerate harm to its political interests. "Our response will be clear and strong if the rights of Turks and Turkish Cypriots are violated in the eastern Mediterranean," he stated.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded and attacked Erdogan: "The antisemitic tyrant who is committing genocide against the Kurds, supports the Hamas terror organization and represses his own people is the last person who can preach morality to the State of Israel." Netanyahu added: "The State of Israel and the IDF, the most moral army in the world, will continue to act forcefully against Iran and its proxies, which threaten the Middle East and the entire world."

The remarks followed additional harsh statements heard on Saturday from senior figures in the Turkish government. Turkey's interior minister, Mustafa Ciftci, declared last Saturday that he hopes for Jerusalem's return to Turkish rule. "These lands will be ours again," Minister Ciftci said. He noted that he believes the city will return to his country's control in the future, and compared the move to what he described as the "liberation" of other cities in the region, including Damascus, Aleppo and Karabakh.

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