Israel Katz has opened a new front in the confrontation with Turkey, sarcastically urging Recep Tayyip Erdogan to welcome Hamas members from Gaza to the Turkish resort city of Antalya. The Israeli Defense Minister chose to link his proposal to the absence of Israeli tourists from the popular Turkish destination, at a time when relations between Jerusalem and Ankara remain severely strained. Katz’s remarks about Antalya were also confirmed by a dispatch from AFP earlier today.
Israel Katz: “Invite them to settle in Antalya”
“If Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to help his comrades (…) let him invite them to settle in Antalya,” Katz wrote on platform X, adding that “there is plenty of room, given the absence of Israeli tourists.” His choice of Antalya as a reference points to the city’s long-standing popularity among Israeli visitors to Turkey — a relationship that soured dramatically as bilateral ties deteriorated. The Israeli Defense Minister also reiterated that his country will continue its military operations with the goal, as he put it, of “ensuring that the threat of October 7” of 2023 “can never be repeated.”
Hamas remains a flashpoint with Ankara
The latest statement comes as Hamas’s presence and future role in Gaza continue to dominate international discussions about the region. Ankara has been fiercely critical of the Israeli government over its military operations in Gaza, while Erdogan has described Hamas as a “resistance organization.” The presence of Hamas figures on Turkish soil has also repeatedly drawn sharp reactions from the Israeli side. Israel-Turkey relations have been further strained by developments in Syria. The two sides have traded accusations over military presence and actions in the region, adding yet another layer of tension to an already deeply troubled bilateral relationship.
Katz’s statements on Gaza
Israel Katz has also reignited debate over the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. He stated that approximately 70% of residents have already “evacuated” the areas where they lived, and argued that the Israeli military is ready to complete its operations in order to implement what he describes as a plan for “emigration.” A recent Israeli publication documented the minister’s statements, while noting that related proposals have drawn significant criticism and backlash. These remarks add yet another dimension to the Israel-Turkey conflict, with Hamas and the future of Gaza remaining among the central points of contention between the two sides.
