WASHINGTON

Turkish officials rejected Israeli attempts to "denigrate" President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday, and said they are standing with him.

"We will not allow attempts to denigrate our esteemed President Erdogan’s love for the nation and his tremendous contributions to the development of our country.

"We stand by our president, the leader of our nation and the beacon of hope for all the oppressed. We will continue to work together for a strong and prosperous Türkiye under his leadership," Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan wrote on X, with the hashtag, #WeStandWithErdogan.

His remarks came after Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz targeted Erdogan in a post on social media, claiming that the Turkish president is turning his country into a "dictatorship."

Communications Director Fahrettin Altun said Erdogan is a leader who always protects the honor of the state, nation and the flag.

"Recep Tayyip Erdogan is always on the side of the victimized and the innocent. He is on the side of the rightful and the oppressed, against the unjust and the oppressor. That's why we are always #WeStandWithErdogan," wrote Altun.

Erdogan's chief adviser Akif Cagatay Kilic said: "Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who defends the right and the oppressed!" as he posted a photo of the president with the hashtag.