Israeli Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Wednesday criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his statements on Israel’s military actions, accusing him of authoritarianism and regional aggression.
In a post written in Turkish on his official X account, Sa’ar said Erdoğan “continues his inciting remarks against Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu,” describing him as a leader who “sees himself as a sultan” while “crushing freedoms” at home.
Kendini bir sultan gibi gören Erdoğan, bir başka coşkulu ve saldırgan konuşmasında, İsrail ve İsrail Başbakanı aleyhindeki kışkırtıcı söylemlerini sürdürmeye devam ediyor.
Vatandaşlarının özgürlüklerini ve haklarını bastırmakta, aynı şekilde ülkesindeki muhalefeti sindirmekte…— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) June 18, 2025
The comments came on the sixth day of Israel’s direct military confrontation with Iran, and amid mounting pressure over Israel’s months-long war in Gaza, where more than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed according to health authorities in the enclave. UN bodies and major human rights organizations have accused Israel of committing acts consistent with genocide, including mass killings, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the deliberate use of starvation as a weapon.
Sa’ar accused Erdoğan of lacking legitimacy to speak on international law, citing Turkey’s military presence in northern Syria and its longstanding position on northern Cyprus.
“Someone who occupies northern Syria and holds northern Cyprus in violation of international law speaking about legality and morality is completely ironic,” Sa’ar wrote.
The post follows Erdoğan’s repeated condemnations of Israel’s actions in both Gaza and Iran. Earlier today Erdoğan said Iran had a “legitimate” right to self-defense and accused Israel of “state terrorism.”
While Erdoğan’s public messaging continues to champion Palestinian liberation and anti-imperialism, his government has maintained trade relations with Israel throughout its Gaza campaign. Critics in Turkey point to this contradiction, as well as Turkey’s continued cooperation with the US, as forms of complicity.
Israel’s conduct in Gaza remains under investigation at the International Court of Justice, where South Africa has brought a case alleging genocide. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have also accused Israel of committing war crimes and acts of genocide during its military campaign in Gaza.