'Like sharks smelling blood’ - Turkish president renews attacks against Israel, Netanyahu

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Wednesday that Israel’s actions in Syria and Lebanon have gone too far and also threaten Turkey. 

“The attacks by [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and his network of murder on Lebanon and Syria have brought the issue to a point where it also threatens Turkey,” Erdoğan said in a speech to lawmakers from his ruling AK Party. 

“Syria and Lebanon are two sovereign and independent states,” Erdoğan said. “But they are also part of Turkey's geography of affection and brotherhood.” 

He described Damascus and Beirut as sister cities of Istanbul, and claimed Turkey's security perimeter extends well beyond its formal borders. 

“Turkey's security does not begin only in Hatay,” he said. “It begins in Aleppo, it begins in Damascus. Turkey's security begins in Beirut.” 

“We will not tolerate any 'fait accompli' in our brotherly nations, and we will not turn a blind eye to aggression against them,” he added.

Erdoğan also accused Netanyahu of pursuing an expansionist “Greater Israel” project, stating, “Allah willing, we will never allow that.” 

The Turkish president also appeared to threaten Israel over recent initiatives in the Mediterranean Sea.

He was likely referring to growing political and military cooperation between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. Those efforts could eventually see both Greece and Israel deploy troops to the Greek islands of Karpathos and Rhodes as part of plans to help defend Cyprus, whose northern half remains under Turkish occupation.

“We see malicious initiatives led by Israel in the Mediterranean as well, and nobody should pursue adventures there,” Erdoğan continued. 

He said that Turkey would not tolerate harm to its national interests. 

“Our response will be clear and strong if the rights of Turks and Turkish Cypriots are violated in the Eastern Mediterranean,” he declared. 

Erdoğan’s comments came just days after the country’s interior minister, Mustafa Çipçi, threatened to “liberate” Jerusalem. 

“Just as we witnessed the liberation of Damascus, Aleppo, and Karabakh, God willing, one day we will also witness the liberation of Jerusalem,” the Turkish interior minister said Saturday. 

Saying he longs to serve as the governor of Jerusalem, “even if just for a single day,” Çipçi continued, stating, “I still believe that the Almighty will show us those days. He will surely show them to us. I have believed this with all my heart, and I continue to believe it. Just as in the past, those lands will be ours once again. God willing, they will come under our sovereignty and dominion once more.” 

Israel’s Foreign Ministry reacted to Çipçi’s remarks by referring to Jerusalem as “David’s Capital.” 

“The corrupt Ottoman Empire is gone. Forever,” the ministry posted to social media. “Jerusalem DC (David’s capital) shall remain the eternal capital of Israel. Forever.” 

Wake up and smell the coffee.

The corrupt Ottoman Empire is gone. Forever.

Jerusalem DC (David’s capital) shall remain the eternal capital of Israel.
Forever. https://t.co/FRSR7ue1gP

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 7, 2026

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to Erdoğan’s comments, calling him an “antisemitic dictator,” and saying Erdoğan is the “last person” to lecture anyone on morality. 

“The antisemitic dictator Erdoğan – who is committing genocide against the Kurds, supports the Hamas terrorist organization, oppresses his own people and imprisons political rivals – is the last person who can lecture the State of Israel on morality,” Netanyahu retorted.

“The State of Israel and the IDF, the most moral army in the world, will continue to take forceful action against Iran and its proxies, which threaten the Middle East and the entire world,” he continued.

Asked about Erdoğan’s threats towards Israel by a reporter in the Oval Office, U.S. President Donald Trump brushed the question aside, calling the Turkish leader “a very good friend of mine.” 

Trump claimed nothing would happen during his term in office. 

“I don't think that would happen with Turkey, not as long as I'm president,” Trump said, “because he respects me and I respect him.” 

“As you know, he’s a very good friend of mine, and we’ve worked very well together. I like him a lot,” Trump added. 

On Thursday, Erdoğan renewed his attacks on Israel and Netanyahu. Speaking at an awards ceremony of the Turkish Red Crescent Society, Erdoğan compared Netanyahu to Hitler, and Israel to a “shark smelling blood.” 

“Those following in the footsteps of Hitler will end up as all tyrants did throughout history,” Erdoğan said of Netanyahu. 

“Those who attack our geography like sharks that have smelled blood will eventually be held accountable for the blood they spill,” Erdoğan said. “The heaven-shaking cries of the oppressed will sooner or later catch up with the oppressors.” 

Over the past few years, especially since the Oct. 7, 2023, Gaza War, Erdoğan has increased his militant rhetoric towards Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu.

He has also led the country to pull away from previous efforts to improve relations between Ankara and Jerusalem.