Netanyahu accuses Erdogan of escalating tensions between Israel and Turkey

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel does not want confrontation with Turkey, instead accusing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for increasing tensions. In an interview with Channel 14's Sophia Tupolev, Netanyahu said that conflict with Turkey under an Israeli security doctrine that allows Israel to strike pre-emptively is possible, but refused to answer directly on the country's strategic plans. He warned that Israel is "not about to capitulate" and emphasised the country's military preparedness for confrontation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel does not want confrontation with Turkey, which he described as leading an "extreme Sunni axis", instead blaming Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for increasing tensions between their countries. https://t.co/H0yvp8Lzgd — Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) October 21, 2026