Turkish Defense Ministry slams Israeli PM's 'slander'

By Baris Gundogan

ANKARA

Turkish Defense Ministry on Tuesday described the Israeli prime minister's remarks on the Turkish army as "slander".

In a statement, the ministry said it rejects Benjamin Netanyahu's “baseless and deluded” claims on the Turkish army in an attempt of distraction amid corruption accusations and political problems in his own country.

The ministry added that those with the blood of Palestinian children on their hands cannot slander the Turkish army.

The statement came after Netanyahu on Sunday attacked the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over Turkey's counter-terror operation and Cyprus issues on Twitter.

Erdogan responded to Netanyahu’s tweet, saying the Israeli premier is heading “state terror”.

Earlier this month, local media reports said the Israeli State Prosecutor's Office recommended the indictment of Netanyahu for alleged bribery in two separate corruption cases.

Netanyahu will also likely be charged for breach of trust in a third corruption probe.

The Turkish Defense Ministry added: “There has never been any embarrassing case in the missions and operations carried out during the glorious history of the Turkish Armed Forces.”