Erdogan's Controversial Statements on Israel and Germany's Response

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared in parliament that Israel is a terrorist state and predicted its imminent destruction, receiving a standing ovation from lawmakers. He also accused Israel of possessing nuclear weapons and warned that its end is near. Erdoğan further suggested that Germany's support for Israel is driven by guilt over the Holocaust. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Erdoğan for supporting Hamas and accused Turkey of oppressing Kurds. The diplomatic relations between Turkey and Israel, which had been improving, have now deteriorated. Erdoğan canceled his planned visit to Jerusalem, and his government continues to harbor members of Hamas.