Turkey’s Erdogan Calls Israeli PM Netanyahu ‘Today’s Hitler’ Reiterated He ‘Firmly Backs’ Hamas

Turkish President, who had previously called Israel a ‘terrorist state’ and accused it of conducting a ‘genocide’ in Gaza.

In his speech in Istanbul on Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan compared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the world history’s worst dictators: Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Benito Mussolini.

“Netanyahu and his administration, with their crimes against humanity in Gaza, are writing their names next to Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin, like today’s Nazis,” he said.

#BREAKING Netanyahu, his administration earns their place alongside Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin as Nazis of our time, with humanitarian crimes committed in Gaza: President Erdogan pic.twitter.com/fgQhQXLEzq

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) March 9, 2024

Erdogan also reiterated his support for Hamas, noting that no one could “make” Turkey “qualify Hamas as a terrorist organization,” citing criticism over Ankara’s refusal to designate the group as a terrorist movement.

“Turkey is a country that speaks openly with Hamas leaders and firmly backs them.”

BREAKING: TURKISH PRESIDENT ERDOGAN OFFICIAL STATEMENT

“Hamas is not a terrorist organization, but rather a resistance, and we stand firmly behind them and in constant contact with its leaders

Netanyahu's government continues to commit more massacres against the Palestinian… pic.twitter.com/oLzrBkeG37

— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) March 9, 2024

“We will continue to do what is necessary to hold Israeli officials accountable for the massacres committed in Gaza in accordance with international law,” stated Erdogan, citing the intensified dialogue between Ankara and Cairo.

Since October 7, Erdogan has been consistently making anti-Israel statements. The last time he compared Netanyahu to the Nazi Germany leader Hitler was back in December, to which Israeli Prime Minister responded that Erdogan is the last person ‘to preach morality’ to Israel.

Meanwhile, Turkey tells Muslim Brotherhood normalization with Egypt won’t affect them- report

The group is reportedly lobbying for Ankara’s ongoing backing of Hamas

The Turkish government assured the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) that normalization of diplomatic ties with Egypt will not adversely affect them as the movement’s delegation recently met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said local media.

The reports follow Turkey revoking citizenship from Mahmoud Hussein, the leader of the MB in Istanbul. Amid the following allegations that Erdogan is prioritizing improving relations with Cairo over support for the MB, the government’s reassurances to the Brotherhood have resurfaced in Turkish media that claim that Hussein’s citizenship was revoked due to a procedural error.

Turkey is known to host the MB and Hamas officials. Earlier in November, a Yemeni MB operative Hamid Abdullah Hussein al-Ahmar reportedly intensified lobbying efforts in Turkey to support Hamas, by meeting with the government officials, lawmakers and Islamist groups, leveraging his connections with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government and President Erdogan.

About The Author

Leticia Braga

Former Harvard Professor. College of William and Mary: B.A. Psych, Harvard University Graduate School of Education: Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Human Development and Psychology.

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