Israel Brands Turkey Biggest Terrorism Supporter After Iran

The Israeli foreign minister says Turkey is the biggest state supporter of terrorism in the world after Iran.

Israel Katz slammed the Turkish president's recent stance on Israel, saying "The murders and sex crimes of Hamas against Jews and the State of Israel makes it one of the greatest acts of oppression and antisemitism in history, and Turkey as the biggest supporter of terrorism in the world right after Iran."

In a speech on Saturday, Recep Tayyip Erdogan made comparisons between Netanyahu and historical fascist leaders including the architect of the Holocaust, Adolf Hitler.

Erdogan voiced support for terror group Hamas and the attacks of October 7, instead describing Israel as "the Nazis of our time committing humanitarian crimes in Gaza."

He added, "We cannot be coerced into designating Hamas as a terrorist organization. We communicate with them openly and stand behind them."

On October 7, Iran-backed Hamas killed at least 1,200 mostly civilians in Israel and kidnapped at least 250 more to Gaza.

In a war of words, Netanyahu stated, "Israel observes the laws of war and will not be subject to moral preaching from Erdogan, who supports murderers and rapists of the Hamas terrorist organization, denies the Armenian genocide, massacres Kurds in his own country, and cracks down on regime opponents and journalists."

Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity Party, also slammed Erdogan for his support of Hamas, stating, "Erdogan standing with Hamas makes him a supporter of crimes against humanity, and comparing the Prime Minister of Israel to dictators is the height of hypocrisy."

Despite both countries recalling their ambassadors, their official relations have not been severed.