Israeli Defense Minister, about the President of Turkey: “Erdogan is a ‘paper sultan’”

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz attacked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday after the latter criticized Israel in a speech delivered at the UN General Assembly. Katz called the Turkish leader “a paper sultan” and urged him to stop attacking Israel.

Erdogan denounced the situation in the Gaza Strip, describing it as “the largest cemetery for children in the world” and “the most inhumane concentration camp” of our time. The Turkish president accused Israel of having a “genocidal mentality” and called on the international community to intensify pressure on the Israeli authorities.

In response, Katz claimed that Erdogan “embraces and finances” Hamas and said that Israel is acting in self-defense. The Israeli minister also accused the Turkish leader of failing to intervene when Houthi rebels launched missiles at the Saudi city of Mecca, even though Turkey had allegedly signed an agreement to defend Saudi Arabia.

During Erdogan’s speech, the Israeli delegation left the hall. The Turkish president also called on states that do not recognize Palestine to reconsider their position.