Israel Criticizes Erdogan's Comments on Hamas

Israeli authorities have strongly condemned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's remarks regarding his refusal to label Hamas as a terrorist organization.

“Israel unequivocally rejects President Erdogan’s harsh words about Hamas being a terrorist organization,” wrote Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Hayat on the social media platform X. He reiterated the bloody attack by Hamas militants in southern Israel at the beginning of October and noted that Erdogan’s attempts to “defend” the group do not change the fact that “Hamas is equivalent to ISIS.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Erdogan stated that Hamas is “not a terrorist organization, but a group of liberators and mujahideen fighting to protect their land and their compatriots.” He mentioned that Turkey has no issues with Israel but condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza’s civilians. The president called on all parties in the conflict to “take their fingers off the trigger.” Erdogan also announced the cancellation of plans to visit Israel.