Turkey rejects Netanyahu's 'baseless accusations' at UN: state media

Netanyahu called Erdogan a “tyrant” at the UN, accusing Turkey of harbouring Hamas leaders.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters

Netanyahu had called Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a "tyrant" during a fiery speech at the UN, accusing Ankara of harbouring Hamas militant leaders.

The Israeli leader's address to the UN General Assembly on Thursday, in which he denounced enemies and allies alike, sparked uproar in the chamber.

Dozens of envoys from across the world walked out, some jeering and booing, while Netanyahu's own team stood and applauded, and the speaker of the session shouted for order.

"The latest country to become a super spreader of antisemitic lies (is Turkey)," he said.

"Erdogan is a tyrant. He also hosts the Hamas terror chiefs."

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026.

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Erdogan has urged world leaders to "exert greater pressure on Israel" over its war in Gaza and called on nations to recognise Palestine as an independent state.

Anadolu quoted the Turkish presidency's communications director Burhanettin Duran, as slamming Netanyahu's allegation as "incompatible" with UN values.

"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's use of the UN General Assembly podium to level "baseless accusations" against Turkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was incompatible with the "ideals of peace, law and dialogue" represented by the UN," Duran said.

Netanyahu's words cannot "make his massacres, the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the proceedings before international law invisible," he added.