Israel Defense Minister Katz Attacks Erdoğan, Calls Him a “Paper Sultan”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has launched a verbal attack against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, describing him as a “paper sultan” and accusing him of being more focused on speeches and rhetoric about restoring the former Ottoman Empire than on regional security.
Katz also accused Erdoğan of supporting and providing financial assistance to Hamas, while defending Israel’s military actions as measures taken in what he described as self-defense.
The Israeli defense minister further criticized Erdoğan’s response to missile attacks attributed to Iran and the Houthis, accusing the Turkish president of taking positions hostile toward Israel.
Katz ultimately called on Erdoğan to “stay away from Israel,” arguing that Israel has the military capability to defend itself against threats and does not need outside intervention.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Israel and Türkiye, with Erdoğan repeatedly criticizing Israeli military operations in the region and calling for greater international pressure on Israel.