Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday called on Arab and Muslim countries to adopt sanctions against Israel, saying economic pressure must accompany diplomatic condemnation.
Erdoğan was speaking at an emergency summit of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Qatar, held after Israel carried out an unprecedented strike in Doha targeting Hamas negotiators.
The Turkish leader said the attack showed Israel’s “banditry” had reached a new level and accused the country of deliberately destabilizing the region.
The summit brought together heads of state from across the Arab and Muslim world in response to Israel’s expanding military campaign in the region.
Erdoğan said the gathering should be seen internationally as a demonstration of unconditional support for Qatar, which has hosted Hamas leaders and acted as a mediator in ceasefire talks.
“Turkey will always stand by our friend and brotherly ally Qatar,” he said.
He described Israel’s government as embodying a “terror mentality” that thrives on chaos and bloodshed.
He accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of pursuing massacres and genocide in Palestine while spreading instability throughout the Middle East.
Erdoğan urged Muslim leaders to intensify diplomatic work aimed at building support for sanctions.
“I believe Israel must also be squeezed economically,” he said and stressed that tougher measures were needed beyond political statements.
Critics accuse Erdoğan of hypocrisy in his criticism of Israel, noting that companies tied to his close associates continued trading with Israel for months even as he publicly condemned the country over its military campaign in Gaza after October 2023.
Much of that commerce persisted after Turkey announced a trade ban in May 2024, with shipments often rerouted through third countries to mask their final destination.
The decision to formally close Turkish ports and airspace to Israeli vessels and aircraft in August 2025 came only after months of public protests, which Erdoğan’s government met with police crackdowns.
Even then, the restrictions have not amounted to a blanket ban, with foreign-flagged ships still sailing from Turkish ports to Israel.