Türkiye responds to Netanyahu's criticism at the United Nations, describing it as a desperate attempt

On Friday, Turkey responded to the statements and criticism made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against Ankara and his attack on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his speech, Thursday evening, at the United Nations General Assembly.

Turkey said in a statement, quoting a Turkish diplomat, that what it described as “the allegations represent desperate and empty attempts aimed at covering up the Israeli genocidal war in Gaza and the ongoing aggression in the occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and other regions,” according to what was reported by the Turkish “Anatolia” news agency.

This came in a statement issued by a Turkish diplomat with the rank of third secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who spoke on behalf of Türkiye at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, in response to Netanyahu’s comments.

The statement stated, "Türkiye categorically rejects the baseless and malicious accusations directed against Türkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan."

The Turkish diplomat pointed out that "a large number of delegations leaving the General Assembly hall during Netanyahu's speech is not an insignificant move," considering it a "strong diplomatic condemnation," as he put it.

The statement continued: “The message is clear: his words no longer have credibility, his policies are in disarray, and his isolation on the international scene is deepening day after day,” according to what was reported by the Anadolu Agency.

The statement said: "The international community does not accept to listen to a leader who has lost his moral legitimacy and an arrest warrant has been issued against him on charges of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity."

He stressed that any propaganda will not erase the truth, adding: "Thousands of civilians were killed, homes and hospitals were turned into rubble, schools were deliberately targeted, and the delivery of humanitarian aid was deliberately prevented. These are crimes that will not be forgotten and will not be forgiven."

The statement stressed that what it described as "personal attacks and lies, no matter how often and how loudly they are repeated, collapse under the weight of undeniable facts."

He added: “While Israel exports war, destruction, and instability, Türkiye builds peace,” according to the statement.

Netanyahu had described Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a "tyrant" and said that Türkiye had become "a major source for spreading anti-Semitic lies." Erdogan was accused of hosting Hamas leaders, imprisoning journalists and opposition leaders, and occupying northern Cyprus.

The Israeli Prime Minister, who faces decisive elections next month, directed harsh criticism at other international parties. He accused the European countries that recently announced their intention to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank of giving in to “anti-Semitic mobs,” and launched a sharp attack on Qatar, claiming that it had spent “countless billions to spread lies” about Israel.

Relations between Turkey and Israel have been tense since the outbreak of the Israeli war in Gaza, and in 2024 Ankara announced the suspension of its trade relations with Israel, until a permanent ceasefire occurs and aid enters the Strip without restrictions.

Tensions remained in 2026, amid arguments and exchanged statements between officials of the two countries against the backdrop of the situation in Gaza and Syria.

In his speech before the United Nations General Assembly last Tuesday, Erdogan called on the international community to put greater pressure on Israel, while calling for more countries to recognize the "State of Palestine."

Erdogan described Gaza as “the most brutal and inhumane mass detention camp of our time,” and noted that the West Bank is “witnessing the worst periods of settlement terrorism.”