Israeli MP Ariel Kellner declares Turkey an ‘enemy state’

What Happened

Israeli Knesset member Ariel Kellner of the Likud party declared Turkey 'an enemy state for all intents and purposes' in an interview with Galei Israel radio, calling President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan a 'dictator who seeks to restore the Islamic caliphate' and urging Western states to view him as a threat. Kellner's statement followed Erdoğan's assertion on Tuesday that Israeli attacks on Syria and Lebanon posed a threat to Turkey and that Israel 'must be stopped' as a 'duty of humanity.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by labeling Erdoğan an 'antisemitic dictator,' while US President Donald Trump, asked about Erdoğan, described him as 'a very good friend' and said 'I like him a lot.' The exchange is set against a backdrop of deteriorating relations: Turkey severed trade ties with Israel in May 2024 and joined South Africa's genocide case at the International Court of Justice, yet Turkish exports continued via third countries, totaling $924 million in 2025, and Azerbaijani oil from the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline still flows to Israel through Turkish ports. Earlier, Israeli Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar had similarly urged treating Turkey as an enemy state, warning of a 'very heavy price' if Ankara chose war.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The verbal escalation deepens the rift between former allies Turkey and Israel, complicating regional alignments amid the Gaza war. Turkey's actions—joining the ICJ genocide case and severing diplomatic and trade ties—while pragmatically maintaining oil and re-export flows, place it at odds with Israel's strategic posture. Trump's divergent tone signals potential US-Turkey rapprochement that could undercut Israeli expectations of uniform Western pressure on Ankara. The dispute also intersects with competition in Syria and maritime energy routes.

Watch For

Monitor whether Israeli officials formally designate Turkey as an 'enemy state,' potentially triggering legal or security measures. Watch for Turkish diplomatic moves, including new ICJ submissions or escalated rhetoric at international forums. The status of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and Turkish-mediated re-exports is a key pressure point; any interruption could signal a full rupture. Also track US policy signals, particularly Trump's direct engagement with Erdoğan, and any impact on NATO dynamics.