Türkiye rejects Israeli 'lies' targeting President Erdogan

The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Saturday rejected a statement by the Israeli Foreign Ministry targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, condemning the "lies and slanders" as reflecting the "cowardly and rotten mentality" of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

Ministry slams 'cowardly mentality'

"The lies and slanders targeting our President in the statement issued by the Israeli Foreign Ministry reflect the cowardly and rotten mentality of the criminals serving in the Israeli government, particularly (Benjamin) Netanyahu," the ministry said in a statement, accusing the Israeli premier and his "criminal network" of bringing "historic shame" upon the entire Israeli people by committing genocide in Gaza.

The ministry said Netanyahu had displayed expansionism unprecedented in the modern history of the Middle East, making his government a primary source of regional and global instability. "The immunities enjoyed by Netanyahu and his criminal network are disappearing both legally and politically," it added.

Comparison to 'Goebbels' propaganda'

The statement likened Israeli institutions to "Goebbels' propaganda machine," saying their efforts to deceive the international community were no longer sufficient. "The international community no longer believes the Netanyahu government's lies," it said, according to Anadolu Agency.

Ankara emphasized that it would continue defending the truth against crimes committed during the Netanyahu era, maintaining an honest and determined stance under Erdogan's leadership.

Duran: Israel hiding behind antisemitism

Türkiye's Head of Communications, Burhanettin Duran, said on the US social media platform X that Israel's statement was "a stark example of a mindset that resorts to slander and propaganda rather than confronting the facts." He said Israel was attempting to "conceal their aggression, the genocide they have committed, war crimes, and crimes against humanity" by "hiding behind the concept of 'antisemitism.'"

Duran stressed that Erdogan would continue defending the Palestinian cause and supporting the people of Gaza, adding that Türkiye's opposition was directed solely at Israel's occupation, oppression and violations of international law.