Israel Katz Slams Turkish President Erdoğan Over UN Speech
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz launched a sharp verbal attack on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday, a day after Erdoğan's address to the United Nations General Assembly. Katz, posting on X, derided Erdoğan as a "paper sultan," accusing him of funding and supporting Hamas while harboring ambitions to "restore the Ottoman Empire."
Katz also referenced a recent defense agreement between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, suggesting Erdoğan "disappeared" when the Houthis fired missiles toward Mecca, rather than upholding his commitments. He urged the Turkish president to cease seeking confrontation with Israel, stating that Israel is strong and capable of defending itself, unlike the Kurds or "desperate people" Erdoğan allegedly oppresses in Turkey.
Erdoğan's UN speech had strongly condemned the situation in Gaza, calling for increased international pressure on Israel to end the war. He also urged nations that do not yet recognize a Palestinian state to reconsider their stance and argued that the UN is no longer effective in maintaining peace, calling for Security Council reform.
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