Türkiye denounces Israeli FM’s comparison of Erdogan to Iraq’s Saddam Hussein

Türkiye swiftly and strongly reacted to Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz’s remarks on Monday, criticizing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the Turkish president hinted that Türkiye could intervene against Israel given its relentless oppression in the besieged Gaza Strip.

“Just as the genocidal Hitler met his end, so will the genocidal Netanyahu. Just as the genocidal Nazis were held accountable, so will those who seek to destroy the Palestinians. Humanity will stand with the Palestinians. You will not be able to destroy the Palestinians,” Turkish Foreign Ministry criticized Katz’s statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Erdogan had earlier said to intervene against Israel if its atrocities do not come to a halt. “Just as we entered Karabakh, just as we entered Libya, we will do the same to them. There is nothing not to do,” the Turkish president asserted.

Israeli FM Katz’s sharp rebuke

Following Erdogan’s statement, Israeli FM Katz harshly criticized President Erdogan’s recent statements.

In his response, Katz drew a comparison between Erdogan and former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, warning of grave consequences for Türkiye if it continues to make such threats.

“Erdogan is following in Saddam Hussein’s footsteps and threatening to attack Israel. He should remember what happened there and how it ended,” Katz said in X.

Türkiye’s reaction to Israeli Minister Katz’s statements was not delayed.

‘Humanity will win’

“We will continue to defend the oppressed Palestinian people, justice for all regardless of religion, regional stability and global peace,” Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said on his social media account.

“Humanity will win eventually. The end of today’s Hitlers and Nazi mentality will not differ from what happened in history,” he maintained.

Ruling AK Party slams Israel, Katz

Meanwhile, Justice and Development Party (AK) Party spokesperson Omer Celik made a statement on his social media account and said that Israeli Foreign Minister Katz is modeled on Hitler’s Foreign Minister Ribbentrop.

“It seems that Israeli Foreign Minister Katz takes Hitler’s Foreign Minister Ribbentrop as an example. Ribbentrop, Hitler’s Foreign Minister, was tried for “deliberately waging war, planning war crimes and crimes against humanity, and crimes against peace,” Celik said.

We remind Katz that Ribbentrop is not a good example; sooner or later the network of his co-conspirators in crimes against humanity will be prosecuted,” said Katz.

“Israeli Foreign Minister Katz, with the expressions she used against our president, who defends human values and peace, not only crossed the line but also revealed that she is a Nazi. These attacks against our President are the attacks of those hostile to human values, conscience and dignity,” Celik added.

Cabinet members rally behind Erdogan

Turkish cabinet members responded to Katz’s social media post targeting President Erdogan.

“Recep Tayyip Erdogan stands with the oppressed, opposes the tyrants, defends justice, and never yields to threats,” Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc stated.

‘Powerful voice for those oppressed’

Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas emphasized that President Erdogan is the powerful voice of the oppressed, adding: “The ignorant words of the Foreign Minister of the occupying Israeli government, which has the blood of babies on its hands, are null and void.”

Labor and Social Security Minister Vedat Isikhan strongly condemned the remarks by Katz, saying: “President Erdogan is the unwavering voice of truth for the world’s oppressed. We will oppose your bloodshed in this region.”

‘Dark stain in history’

Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum addressed Israel’s minister, calling him an oppressor and warning him not to confuse Türkiye and its president with others.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya condemned the Foreign Minister of Israel, describing him as ‘outrageous’ and emphasizing that President Erdogan is the protector and voice of the Palestinian people.

He stated that those who harm innocent children will be remembered as a dark stain in history.