Israeli Diaspora Minister Confirms Israel Saved Erdogan’s Life, Calls Turkey Ungrateful and Warns of Potential War

Israeli Diaspora Minister Amichai Shikli publicly confirmed for the first time that Israel saved Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s life years ago by sending medical aid to treat his cancer. Despite this, Shikli harshly criticized Turkey’s conduct, calling it "ungrateful" following Ankara’s hostile rhetoric and actions against Israel, including during the recent devastating earthquake when Israel dispatched a large rescue mission to Turkey.

Speaking at a closed conference hosted by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (JCAP) on July 22, 2026, Shikli described Erdogan as a "combination of Hitler and Sinwar," referencing Erdogan’s imperialist ambitions and alleged ethnic cleansing intentions in the region. He called for the immediate closure of the Turkish consulate in Jerusalem, accusing it of undermining Israeli sovereignty by supporting Hamas and other Islamist organizations.

The JCAP research launched at the event detailed Turkey’s expanding influence in the Middle East, particularly in Jerusalem, through cultural institutions, scholarships, social activities, and economic aid. It also highlighted Turkey’s military presence in Syria, involvement in Lebanon, and close ties with Hamas in Gaza. The report warned that Turkey’s strategy aims to create a new reality in Jerusalem that threatens Israeli control.

Shikli warned that Israel must prepare for a possible military confrontation with Turkey, stating that direct clashes with the Turkish military, including at sea, could occur imminently. He criticized NATO and the UN for trusting Erdogan, emphasizing that Turkey’s leadership cannot be considered reliable partners.

The remarks come amid escalating tensions between Israel and Turkey, including inflammatory statements by Turkish officials branding Israel as a burden on humanity and a "Zionist massacre gang," and recent naval incidents that nearly sparked open conflict.