Erdogan spoke at the Grand Camlica Mosque in Istanbul, along with Islamic scholar Ali Erbas, who delivered a religious sermon.

During his speech, Erdogan stated, “We all know what is happening in Palestine” and referred to Allah as “al-Qahhar” – one of Allah’s 99 Quranic names, which could be translated as “The dominator who prevails over all creation” – when asking for Zionism and Israel to be destroyed, Anadolu said.

Erdogan also wished “mercy upon the martyrs” and a “speedy recovery to the veterans,” referring to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists and Gaza civilians who were killed and wounded since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas War.

Earlier on Sunday, Erdogan released a nationwide message to mark the holiday, in which he stated, “The genocide taking place in Gaza, in particular, is constantly reaching a more serious dimension with images that will tear the hearts of anyone with a shred of conscience, morality, and understanding,” Anadolu reported.

“As Turkey, we clearly express our stance against this savagery and try to heal the wounds of our brothers with our aid. However, as long as the world, especially Western countries, do not take actual action against this oppression, the courage and audacity of the oppressors will increase and the cries of the oppressed will reach the heavens. Hopefully, the upcoming period will be the cause of an awakening in this regard all over the world,” he added.

Israel’s responses

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said, “The dictator Erdogan revealed his antisemitic face,” adding that “Erdogan is dangerous to the region, as well as to his own people, as has been proven in recent days,” referring to the widespread protests denouncing Erdogan after he ordered the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.

Let’s hope NATO members understand how dangerous he is, and not before it’s too late, Sa’ar added in his post on X/Twitter.

On Saturday, Israel’s Foreign Ministry slammed Erdogan for condemning Israel’s strikes on Beirut.

“While violently oppressing his own citizens and carrying out mass arrests of his political opponents, Erdogan dares to preach lofty values to the international community,” the statement read.

“In Erdogan’s Turkey, there is no justice, no law, and no freedom. Israel has no need for Erdogan’s absurd moralistic speeches. Israel is acting to defend itself and its citizens from real threats and actual attacks — and it will continue to do so,” the statement concluded.

National Unity head Benny Gantz called Erdogan’s statements disgraceful and absurd on X.

He said that these statements ” prove just how under pressure he is from both his political state and future – and rightly so.”

“The Erdogan regime is a danger to the Turkish people, to regional stability, and to the whole world. The sooner it comes to an end – the better,” Gantz stated.

Amichai Stein and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.