Erdogan Calls For Destruction Of Israel During Eid Prayer

During the Eid al-Fitr prayers in Istanbul, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for the destruction of Israel, stating, "May Allah damn Zionist Israel." His comments were made in the context of ongoing violence in Gaza, which he described as genocide, and he urged unity among Muslims in response to the situation. Erdogan's remarks have drawn sharp criticism from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who labeled him a 'dictator' and accused him of anti-Semitism. The exchange follows recent tensions over Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, which Turkey condemned, indicating escalating diplomatic friction between the two nations. Erdogan's rhetoric reflects a broader shift towards a more confrontational stance against Israel amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. This incident highlights the growing domestic and international tensions surrounding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Turkey's response to it.