Turkey’s Rhetoric Against Israel Raises Antisemitism Concerns Among International Observers

Netanyahu blasts Iran’s ‘Death to America’ chants, praises US-Israel alliance

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Iran’s regime, highlighting “Death to America” chants at memorials and the killing of 40,000 citizens. He emphasized the critical U.S.-Israel partnership in countering Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, while criticizing Turkey for supporting Hamas and threatening NATO allies.

As Iran, Russia’s war with Ukraine, and NATO defense spending dominate the Ankara summit, a less visible but concerning issue has emerged: antisemitic rhetoric from Turkish officials.

With relations between Turkey and Israel deteriorating, tensions have escalated into a public exchange of accusations.

In a July 2 interview with CNN Türk, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Israel has “become a burden that humanity can no longer bear” and represents “humanity’s common problems,” urging international pressure on the Jewish state, according to reports from the Jerusalem Post and Israel National News.

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Anti-Israel protesters rally in Istanbul, Turkey, on Feb. 17, 2024, over the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned Fidan’s remarks as “a clear call for genocide,” warning that dehumanizing rhetoric often precedes atrocities. “This sounds very familiar to sentences from about 100 years ago,” Sa’ar said, questioning what becomes of a “burden that humanity can no longer bear.”

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a rally in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Istanbul, Turkey October 28, 2023. (Dilara Senkaya/Reuters)

Sinan Ciddi, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and director of FDD’s Turkey program, described Fidan’s statements as “some of the vilest rhetoric to come out of any statesman since the Holocaust.”

According to Ciddi, Turkey’s anti-Israel rhetoric intensified after October 7, 2023, following President Erdoğan’s earlier criticism of Israel, including accusations of “murderers” and blood-sucking. The State Department previously denounced Erdoğan’s remarks as “reprehensible.”

Despite condemning antisemitism in private meetings with minority groups, Turkish leadership continues public antagonism toward Israel. In June, Interior Minister Mustafa Altıntop warned of Jerusalem’s “liberation,” while Erdoğan accused Israel of being “a terror state that feeds on the blood, lives, and tears of the innocent” in recent remarks.

A June Pew Research poll found Turkey holds the highest anti-Israel sentiment globally, with 91% viewing the country “very unfavorably” and only 1% expressing support. U.S. State Department spokesperson acknowledged Turkey’s statements, noting ongoing engagement within NATO frameworks.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar (R) and Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon (L) speak to journalists ahead of a United Nations Security Council meeting at U.N. headquarters on August 5, 2025 in New York (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Experts suggest diplomatic channels, including direct presidential engagement and sanctions, could address Turkey’s rhetoric. However, NATO allies warn against compromising democratic accountability while maintaining strategic partnerships.

The Hague, Netherlands – In photos, NATO leaders participate in the summit in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 25, 2025. NATO countries pledged to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, as demanded by U.S. President Donald Trump. The summit’s final declaration states countries will invest “at least 3.5%” of their GDP annually in military capabilities and an additional 1.5% in protecting critical infrastructure. (Handout / Latin America News Agency via Reuters Connect)

At the summit, analysts caution Turkey may leverage its NATO position while downplaying its record on democratic norms and regional tensions. “We cannot safeguard our allies’ democratic values if we don’t hold member states like Turkey accountable for threats,” warned Ciddi.

The Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C. did not respond to inquiries.

Beth Bailey writes on the United Nations, worldwide antisemitism, and regions in conflict for Fox News.

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