Erdogan calls Israel a “terror state that feeds on blood” during military iftar dinner

In a sharp rebuke of Israel’s renewed military operations in Gaza, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Israel “a terror state that feeds on blood” during an iftar dinner with military personnel at the National Defense University’s Land Warfare School.

“The Zionist regime, with its savage attacks on Gaza last night, has once again shown that it is a terror state feeding on the blood, lives and tears of innocents,” Erdogan said, pledging to increase diplomatic efforts to end what he termed a “genocide.”

The comments came as Israel has intensified military operations in Gaza, drawing international concern over civilian casualties.

“Our aim is to throw into the trash bin of history the plans that have been staged over the past two centuries, sometimes along ethnic, sometimes along sectarian fault lines,” Erdogan said. “Our concern is peace and brotherhood.”

During his address to military personnel, Erdogan also praised Turkish soldiers serving both domestically and abroad, highlighting their “dignified and virtuous stance” in historical conflicts.

“The dignified and virtuous stance displayed by our soldiers in Korea, Cyprus, and many other places stands as unique notes that our national identity has left in history,” he said.

Türkiye has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, with Erdogan repeatedly condemning Israeli actions since the conflict began following Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel.