08.06.2026 11:50
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz made an arrogant statement targeting President Erdogan and Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci, referencing Jerusalem and the Ottoman Empire. Mansur Yavas, the Mayor of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, who was one of the individuals tagged in Katz's post, responded to the Israeli minister by stating, "No one can look down on the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish nation and try to set standards."
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz's statements targeting Turkey have sparked a new debate. It drew attention that Katz tagged CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, suspended Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, and Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş in his post on social media.
In his post, Katz stated that he was responding to Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi's words, "My wish was that God would grant me the Governorship of Jerusalem one day," and used expressions targeting Turkey.
"THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE WILL NOT RETURN"
In his post, the Israeli minister said, "Jerusalem is not Constantinople, and the State of Israel is not a crumbling Crusader Empire."
Katz also targeted President Erdoğan by saying, "Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people for 3,000 years and will forever remain the capital of Israel. The Ottoman Empire you and Erdoğan dream of has collapsed and will never return."
In his post, Katz also mentioned the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, criticizing the current administration and claiming that Turkey has moved away from Atatürk's path.
HARSH REACTION FROM MANSUR YAVAŞ
Following Katz's statements, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş quickly responded.
In a statement on his social media account, Yavaş said:
"I would like to remind the Israeli minister who behaves impertinently over Jerusalem. No one can attempt to lecture the Republic of Turkey or the Turkish nation from a superior standpoint, nor wag a finger at our history."
"LOOK AT YOUR OWN GOVERNMENT FIRST"
Yavaş also reacted to Katz's evaluations regarding Atatürk, saying, "Before you utter Atatürk's name, look at your own government's record under international law."
The Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor concluded his post with the words, "My advice to those trying to challenge Turkey is to draw lessons from history, not rhetoric."
Katz's statements targeting Turkey and Mansur Yavaş's response quickly became one of the most talked-about topics on the political agenda.