During Eid al-Fitr prayers at Istanbul’s Çamlıca Mosque on Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan allegedly prayed for Israel’s destruction.

Reports indicate Erdoğan invoked the name ‘Al-Qahhar’ of Allah, asking for the devastation of “Zionist Israel.” His alleged remarks have sparked strong condemnation, particularly from Israeli officials.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar responded on X, accusing Erdoğan of revealing his “antisemitic face” and posing a danger to the region and his own people. Sa’ar referenced recent protests in Turkey and urged NATO members to recognize the danger Erdoğan represents.

Following these criticisms, the Turkish Foreign Ministry released a statement rejecting what it described as the “outrageous statement” from the Netanyahu government’s Foreign Minister.

The statement dismissed the allegations as baseless and an attempt to divert attention from the Netanyahu government’s actions, reiterating Turkey’s support for Palestinians and their rights.

Israel’s foreign ministry responded with a social media post demanding clarification from Erdoğan regarding his views and emphasizing his problematic behavior both domestically and internationally.

“Here’s a way to clarify the dictator’s words: Clearly state that Erdogan is not an antisemite, that he is not an obsessive hater of the Jewish state.”

The post highlights growing concerns about Erdoğan’s intentions towards Israel.

The strained relations extend beyond Erdoğan’s support for Hamas, a group responsible for the October 7, 2023, massacre of over 1,200 Israelis, which has long received Turkish backing. Israel and many in the international community are angered by Erdoğan’s refusal to condemn Hamas, instead characterizing them as a legitimate political entity.

The U.S.-Turkey relationship is also under strain. Despite Turkey’s internal issues, including the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem İmamoglu, which has triggered widespread protests, U.S. officials are trying to stabilize relations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on March 26 to discuss Turkey’s potential role in a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire and other geopolitical matters.

Jonathan Schanzer, executive director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Digital, “Turkey’s strongman Recep Tayyip Erdogan is facing the worst domestic political crisis of his career. The streets are flooded now with protesters who are outraged over the arrest of opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu, restrictions on the internet, and other authoritarian maneuvers.”

Schanzer added that Erdoğan is deflecting attention by using harsh rhetoric against Israel, while continuing to provide financial and political support to Hamas and backing the al-Qaeda government in Syria, which he says also threatens Israel.

Tensions are also fueled by Erdoğan’s actions in Syria, where Turkey supports Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group that overthrew the Assad regime and now controls parts of the country, raising concerns about Turkey’s role in destabilizing Israel’s borders.

Prior to Erdoğan’s recent threats, Trump administration officials suggested lifting restrictions on defense contracts with Turkey, potentially allowing them to rejoin the program. This possibility arose after a phone call between Presidents Trump and Erdoğan on March 21, potentially leading to a policy shift that could allow the sale of F-35s to Turkey.

As a NATO member, Turkey is a key component of the alliance’s security structure.

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