Netanyahu: "Erdoğan Supports the Terrorist State of Hamas"

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today (Wednesday) sharply criticized Turkish President Recep Erdoğan who claimed that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

During a meeting held by the Prime Minister with the evangelical priest and president and CEO of the Samaritan's Purse organization Franklin Graham, Netanyahu thanked him for standing by Israel. "The fact that you are here, standing with Israel, in Israel, is very important and gives us a lot of strength and a lot of encouragement," he said. He also added, "I must say that the world today seems to be divided into two camps - those who support Israel and its just war against Hamas terrorism, and those who support Hamas terrorism."

Netanyahu: Erdoğan supports a terrorist state (Photo: Itay Beit On / GPO, Sound: Yehezkel Kandil / GPO)

According to Netanyahu: "I think that you, along with all the believers who follow you from all over the world, understand that Israel is fighting a just war. It is fighting in accordance with international law, and is trying to prevent civilian casualties and uproot terrorism. I think this is our common war - the war of civilization against barbarism."

Netanyahu: "Erdoğan bombed villages, we will not accept preaching from him"

The prime minister also referred to the Turkish president's statement that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. "I must say that unlike us, there are forces that support terrorism," he emphasized. According to him: "One of them is Turkish President Erdoğan. He calls Israel a terrorist state but actually supports the terrorist state Hamas. He himself bombed Turkish villages, within the borders of Turkey. We will not accept preaching from him."

Netanyahu with the evangelical priest (Photo: Kobi Gideon / GPO)

Finally, he continued to thank the priest for the demonstrations of support for Israel in the US: "We stand together with those who support justice and truth, like Pastor Graham, our many Christian friends around the world and many others. We saw it yesterday in a mass demonstration of support in Washington by Jewish leaders, but also non-Jewish leaders - leaders in the Senate, leaders in Congress. They stand by Israel, support the truth and support justice. These are the forces of civilization that will eventually win."