A fresh diplomatic row has erupted between Israel and Turkey, with the ongoing, internationally condemned Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus taking center stage in a scathing exchange.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar launched a vehement attack on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, denouncing his recent “inflammatory” speech and highlighting Turkey’s prolonged presence on the divided island.
Israel blasts Erdogan’s hypocrisy on International Law, citing Cyprus
The Israeli Foreign Minister’s condemnation came swiftly after Erdogan’s speech, where the Turkish leader voiced support for Iran‘s right to self-defense against Israel’s military campaign and controversially likened Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler.
Taking to the X platform, Saar retorted, “The Sultan, in his eyes, with yet another inflammatory speech, continues to incite against Israel and the Prime Minister of Israel.”
He didn’t shy away from pointing out perceived hypocrisy in Erdogan’s stance on international conduct: “Erdogan, who holds the record of suppressing the freedoms and rights of his citizens, as well as of suppressing the opposition in his country, dares to preach to others.”
Saar underscored the core of his criticism by stating it was “particularly ironic the fact that someone who does not hide his imperialist ambitions who invaded northern Syria and illegally occupies northern Cyprus, has the audacity to speak in the name of morality and international law.”
This pointed reference to the Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus, established after the 1974 invasion and recognized only by Ankara, serves as a powerful symbol of Turkey’s disregard for international norms in the region, a stance Israel is now leveraging in its diplomatic offensive.
Turkey deflects with a “baseless slander” claim
The Turkish Foreign Ministry was quick to respond to Saar’s direct accusations regarding their President and the occupation of Cypriot territory. In a statement, they dismissed Saar’s social media post as “baseless slander and despicable lies against our country and Mr. President.”
The Turkish Ministry’s detailed response sought to turn the tables, suggesting that the Israeli officials’ intense focus on Erdogan’s statements “confirms the accuracy of the issues contained in the said statement.”
They directly addressed the comparison of Netanyahu to historical figures: “Netanyahu is responsible for the fact that his name is mentioned along with those who committed genocide in history, and he is the one who is still on trial for genocide.”
The statement further asserted, “The crimes against humanity committed by Israeli leaders before the eyes of the entire world are concentrated in a way that leaves no room for any doubt.”
Concluding with a strong demand for accountability, the Turkish Ministry declared, “Netanyahu and his accomplices will be held accountable before justice when the support and immunity shield that Israel currently enjoys in certain circles is lost. As our President has stated, we hope that Netanyahu and his associates will be tried fairly.”
This escalating diplomatic dispute highlights the deep-seated animosity between Israel and Turkey, with the long-standing and illegal Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus now a prominent point of contention in the heated exchange.
Related: Israeli PM Netanyahu Slams Erdogan Over Occupation of Cyprus