Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday after comments he made about the US-Iran ceasefire, vowing that Israel would continue fighting Tehran and its regional proxies.
Shortly after the United States and Iran agreed to a ceasefire earlier this week, Erdoğan warned US President Donald Trump of “possible provocations and sabotage” that could undermine the agreement, without specifying who might threaten the deal.
On Saturday, Netanyahu responded by criticizing the Turkish leader.
“Israel, under my leadership, will continue to fight Iran’s terror regime and its proxies, unlike Erdogan who accommodates them and massacred his own Kurdish citizens,” Netanyahu said on X.
ישראל תחת הנהגתי תמשיך להילחם במשטר הטרור של איראן ובשלוחותיו, בניגוד לארדואן שמסייע להם ואף טובח באזרחיו הכורדים.
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) April 11, 2026
During his phone call with Trump, Erdoğan also urged that the truce “not be compromised under any circumstances,” saying Turkey would offer its full support to ensure as much.
Turkey, while a fierce critic of Israel, joined diplomatic efforts with Egypt and Pakistan to reach a ceasefire in the conflict.
Later on Saturday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also lashed out at Erdoğan on X, calling him a “paper tiger.”
Erdoğan “who did not respond to missile fire from Iran into Turkish territory and has proven to be a paper tiger, is now fleeing into the realm of antisemitism and calling for show trials in Turkey against Israel’s political and military leadership.”
“What an absurdity. A man of the Muslim Brotherhood, who massacred the Kurds, accuses Israel — defending itself against his Hamas allies — of genocide.”
“Israel will continue to defend itself with strength and determination — and he would do well to remain silent.”
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry later issued a statement condemning Netanyahu’s remarks and defending Erdoğan.
Regarding the Social Media Post by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu https://t.co/CMg9hJzc1h pic.twitter.com/LOLDqOZpH3
— Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) April 11, 2026
“Netanyahu, who has been described as the Hitler of our time due to the crimes he has committed, is a well-known figure with a clear track record,” the ministry said.
Erdoğan has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s war on Gaza, which began after a Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, but he has faced frequent criticism for failing to match his rhetoric with action, as his government faced accusations of continuing trade with Israel during the war, which claimed more than 75,000 lives in Gaza.
It noted that an arrest warrant has been issued for Netanyahu by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity and that Israel faces proceedings at the International Court of Justice on allegations of genocide.
On November 21, 2024, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, along with then-Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in the Gaza Strip from at least October 8, 2023. Both Netanyahu and Gallant remain fugitives from justice before the ICC, whose member countries are required to arrest them if they enter their territory.
The ministry said Netanyahu’s objective was to undermine ongoing peace efforts and continue expansionist policies in the region, adding that failure to do so could expose him to prosecution at home.
“The fact that our president has been targeted by Israeli officials with baseless, brazen and false allegations is a result of the discomfort caused by the truths we have consistently voiced on every platform,” the statement said.
Turkey will continue to support civilians and efforts to hold Netanyahu accountable, the ministry added.
Agence France-Presse with reporting from Turkish Minute