Turkey's AK Party slams Israeli PM over Erdogan tweet

By Meryem Goktas

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party on Sunday chastised Israeli premier over his tweet on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"Accused of fraud in investigations carried out in Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to manipulate the international community," AK Party spokesman Omer Celik said in a tweet.

Celik said that Netanyahu is "disturbed" by Erdogan's remarks in favor of humanity and oppressed people.

The spokesman emphasized that Turkey will continue to speak up against Israel’s unjust actions against the oppressed Palestinians and its practises that violate international law.

On Sunday, Benjamin Netanyahu, on his Twitter account, attacked Turkish president over Turkey's counter-terror operation and Cyprus issues.

"It is meaningful that Netanyahu is disturbed by the operations carried out by the Turkish army and security forces against PKK targets, which carry out terrorist acts against our civilians and the Syrian oppressed, regardless of women and children," Celik said.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people.

Meanwhile Turkey’s presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin also responded to Netanyahu's accusations.

"Instead of begging President Erdogan not to speak out the truth, @netanyahu should end the lawless occupation of Palestinian lands and the brutal oppression of Palestinian people.

"Bashing Erdogan or using Kurds as a political chip will not save him from his domestic troubles," Kalin wrote in a tweet.