Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet that Erdogan calls for the destruction of Israel "almost ever...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet that Erdogan calls for the destruction of Israel "almost every single day," and that Israel is taking those words very seriously. Speaking during a cabinet session, Netanyahu said the government would also be raising the issue directly with the United States. His remarks were reported by the Times of Israel. "If there is one thing we have learned from the history of our people, it is that when someone says they intend to destroy you, you must take them seriously," Netanyahu told his ministers. He added that Israel would be drawing the attention of its American allies to Erdogan's statements, making clear the country has no intention of ignoring them. The remarks come after a sustained escalation in Turkish rhetoric toward Israel. Turkey's Interior Minister earlier this month called for the "liberation" of Jerusalem. In March 2025, Erdogan was reported by Western and Israeli media to have prayed during a Ramadan service that "Allah, in his name, destroy and wipe out Zionist Israel." Trump said last week that Erdogan "could have" joined the Iran conflict on Tehran's side because "he doesn't like Israel," though Turkey gave no indication it was preparing to enter the conflict. That same day, Trump signaled he was preparing a new arms package for Turkey ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara, reportedly including F-35 fighter jets and dozens of aircraft engines. The prospect has been causing serious concern in Jerusalem for months. Senior Turkish officials beyond Erdogan have also amplified anti-Israel rhetoric in recent weeks, and Erdogan himself has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, welcomed ICC arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, and called on the UN to consider the use of force against Israel. #Netanyahu #Erdogan #IsraelTurkey