Erdogan Accuses Netanyahu of Being 'Child-killing Tyrant'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "thief" and a "tyrant" in the latest spat between the two leaders.

The dispute comes after Erdogan's spokesman denounced Netanyahu as a racist for saying that Israel was the nation-state of the Jewish people only. Netanyahu then struck back, calling Erdogan a dictator and criticizing the country for imprisoning journalists.

>> Netanyahu said Israel Is nation-state of Jews alone. The data show he's right | Analysis

Speaking at an election campaign rally on Wednesday, Erdogan addressed Netanyahu as "the thief who heads Israel" in reference to corruption allegations against him.

Erdogan continued: "you are a tyrant. You are a tyrant who slaughters 7-year-old Palestinian kids."

• J Street slams Netanyahu for ‘disgraceful, racist rhetoric’ against Israeli Arabs in equality controversy
• Arabs aren't 'second-class voters,' President Rivlin rebukes Netanyahu
• Wonder Woman vs. Bibi: Gal Gadot takes stand in row over Jewish-Arab equality

Israel and Turkey were once close allies. But under Erdogan, Turkey has become the most vocal critic of Israel's policies toward Palestinians.