13.11.2026 17:30
A heated debate took place between Turkish academic Muhannad Hafızoğlu and Israeli academic Dr. Meir Masri on the Israel-based i24 News channel. After Hafızoğlu's outburst, in which he responded to accusations against Turkey with the words "We make the decision. Listen to the elders," tensions rose in the studio. The moderator had to cut the broadcast due to the heated debate.
The debate that began over Türkiye and Hamas on Israel-based i24 News channel quickly turned into a heated verbal duel. Turkish academic Muhannad Hafızoğlu reacted sharply to Israeli academic Dr. Meir Masri, who made accusations against Türkiye. As tension escalated with Hafızoğlu's words, "We make the decision. Listen to your elders," the moderator was forced to cut the broadcast.
While Israel's attacks in the Middle East, especially in the Gaza Strip, continued, a noteworthy debate took place on Israeli television. Turkish academic Muhannad Hafızoğlu, who participated in the program broadcast on i24 News, and Dr. Meir Masri, one of the academics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, clashed over Türkiye's approach to Hamas and the Cyprus issue.
"HAMAS IS A RESISTANCE MOVEMENT DEFENDING ITS OWN LAND"
Responding to Masri, who made accusations against Türkiye and Hamas in the program, Hafızoğlu defended Türkiye's stance on Palestine. Stating that Hamas is a resistance movement, Hafızoğlu said, "Hamas is a resistance movement defending its own land because of Israel's occupations."
"PALESTINE WILL EXIST FOREVER"
Also drawing attention to Israel turning toward the West Bank after the Gaza Strip, Hafızoğlu argued that the Tel Aviv administration aimed to eliminate the existence of the Palestinian state. Criticizing Israel's policies toward Palestinians, the academic said, "But Palestine will exist forever."
"WE MAKE THE DECISION, LISTEN TO YOUR ELDERS"
In the later minutes of the debate, the topic turned to the Cyprus issue. Emphasizing that Türkiye did not compromise on its stance on Cyprus despite international pressures, Hafızoğlu responded sharply to Masri's criticisms based on international law and the United Nations. Turning to the Israeli academic, Hafızoğlu said, "We make the decision. Listen to your elders."
"YOU ARE DWARFS, THAT'S HOW YOU LEARN FROM YOUR ELDERS"
Tension in the studio rose further after the Turkish academic's words. Although the moderator intervened in the debate between the two, Hafızoğlu did not back down. Continuing his criticisms toward Masri, Hafızoğlu said, "You are dwarfs. This is how you learn from your elders."
HAD TO CUT THE BROADCAST
After the mutual harsh words, as the debate could not be brought under control, the moderator was forced to cut the broadcast.