Erdogan calls Netanyahu 'thief' and 'tyrant' in latest spat

Published March 13, 2019

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the supporters of his ruling Justice and Development Party, AKP, during a rally in Istanbul, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, ahead of local elections scheduled for March 31, 2019. The banner in the background reads: "Istanbul, a love story." (Presidential Press Service via AP, Pool)

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan waves as he addresses the supporters of his ruling Justice and Development Party, AKP, during a rally in Istanbul, Tuesday, March 12, 2019, ahead of local elections scheduled for March 31, 2019. (Presidential Press Service via AP, Pool)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip has called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "thief" and a "tyrant" in the latest spat between the two leaders.

The dispute comes after Erdogan's spokesman denounced Netanyahu as a racist for saying that Israel was the nation-state of the Jewish people only. Netanyahu then struck back calling Erdogan a dictator and criticizing the country for imprisoning journalists.

Speaking at an election campaign rally on Wednesday, Erdogan addressed Netanyahu as "the thief who heads Israel" in reference to corruption allegations against him.

Erdogan continued: "you are a tyrant. You are a tyrant who slaughters 7-year-old Palestinian kids."

Israel and Turkey were once close allies. But under Erdogan, Turkey has become the most vocal critic of Israel's policies toward Palestinians.

https://www.foxnews.com/world/erdogan-calls-netanyahu-thief-and-tyrant-in-latest-spat