Israel Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli was the latest top Israeli official to take Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to task, referring – in a tele-conference appearance before an event at the European Parliament – to “Turkey’s illegal occupation of northern Cyprus and its and its ongoing aggression in the Aegean Sea.”

Chikli was scathing in his criticism of Erdogan, among the most outspoken national leaders against the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, stressing that Israel is “working to strengthen the Mediterranean alliance against the jihadist and imperial ambitions of the dictator from Ankara.”

He also referred to the Turkish leader’s “jihadi regime” as the “new Iran”, while adding that “With Israel locking arms in the EastMed alliance; gas pipelines, security pacts; it’s game over for Ankara’s expansionist dreams.”

Chikli has in the past also targeted the Turkish leader.

In a separate development, the Israeli Navy on Thursday took to X to announce a joint exercise in Greek waters with Hellenic Navy vessels.