A new round of fierce diplomatic confrontation between Israel and Turkey erupted following Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statements on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Stripduring the 31st UN Climate Change Conference in Antalya.
The Turkish president called on Israel to provide container-style housing to displaced Palestinians, noting that heavy rainfall and flooding have dramatically worsened living conditions in the Palestinian enclave.
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His statement prompted an immediate response from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, which labeled him a “dictator,” accusing him of using international forums to launch attacks against Israel.
Erdogan: “Children are shivering from the cold and struggling to survive”
Speaking from the podium at the summit, Erdogan described the situation in Gaza in dramatic terms, arguing that the destruction of infrastructure, combined with extreme weather conditions, has left hundreds of thousands of people vulnerable.
“In recent days, we have once again been receiving shocking news from Gaza,” he said, describing scenes of flooded tents and makeshift shelters.
The Turkish president placed particular emphasis on the conditions faced by children, speaking of minors trying to survive in the cold and floodwaters, in some cases without their parents.
“No one who sees, knows about, or witnesses a situation so shameful for humanity can shirk their responsibility,” he emphasized.
In this context, he called for safer temporary shelters to be provided for Palestinians who have lost their homes.
— El Ojo (@ElOjoEn) November 11, 2026
— El presidente de Turquía, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: "En los últimos días, hemos vuelto a recibir noticias desgarradoras desde Gaza. La destrucción de la infraestructura en Gaza, sumada a las intensas lluvias e inundaciones, ha provocado que decenas de miles de tiendas de campaña y refugios queden bajo el agua. Cientos de miles de nuestros hermanos y hermanas en Gaza, que no tienen un techo bajo el cual refugiarse, especialmente los niños inocentes que tiemblan de frío, luchan por sobrevivir entre las aguas de las inundaciones en estas condiciones invernales, muchas veces sin sus padres. Debo decirlo abiertamente: nadie que vea, conozca o sea testigo de una situación tan vergonzosa para la humanidad puede eludir su responsabilidad."
Israel: “Dictator Erdogan is spreading propaganda again”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry’s response was particularly sharp.
In a statement, the ministry accused the Turkish president of using yet another international forum to spread, as it claimed, false allegations against Israel.
“Dictator Erdogan is once again using an international forum to promote his campaign of lies,” the Israeli side stated.
Subsequently, the Israeli Foreign Ministry blamed Hamas for the destruction in the Gaza Strip, noting that the Palestinian organization launched the October 7 attack and accusing it of establishing military infrastructure within residential areas.
At the same time, he criticized Turkey for hosting Hamas officials.
According to the Israeli side, a key prerequisite for proceeding with the reconstruction of Gaza is the disarmament of the organization.
“Those who are truly concerned about Gaza should demand the disarmament of Hamas so that reconstruction can begin,” the statement said.
Once again, Dictator Erdoğan is using an international forum to push his anti-Israel campaign of lies. Hamas, whose leaders are hosted in Erdoğan’s Türkiye, is responsible for the devastation in Gaza. Hamas started this war with the October 7th massacre and embedded its military infrastructure in civilian areas. Those who truly care about Gaza should demand that Hamas disarm so reconstruction can begin.
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) November 11, 2026
Ankara’s response: “We will continue to stand by the Palestinians”
The Turkish presidency responded to Israeli criticism, defending Erdogan’s statements.
In its statement, it argued that the Turkish president, speaking at the Antalya Summit, gave a voice to the people who, according to Ankara, are oppressed by Israel.
The Turkish side presented Erdogan’s remarks as an expression of the concern shared by a large part of the international community regarding the living conditions of the Palestinians.
Regarding the Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel Targeting President Erdoğan https://t.co/2gss4dTtHl https://t.co/uqs9iKwFLC
— Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) November 11, 2026
At the same time, he made it clear that Turkey will continue to stand by the Palestinians and those who, as he claims, are suffering from Israel’s policies.
This latest exchange of harsh rhetoric highlights the depth of the confrontation between Ankara and Israel, with the situation in Gaza remaining a key source of diplomatic tension between the two countries.
Source: newsbeast.gr
