“Those who systematically violate human rights in their own country should not preach to the only true democracy in the region,” said Israel’s foreign ministry in a statement reacting to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s comments on Jerusalem.

Erdogan, who was speaking at a conference dealing with Jerusalem in Istanbul said that “As a Muslim community, we need to visit al-Aksa Mosque in the hundreds of thousands – each day that Jerusalem is under occupation is an insult to us.” He said ‘’we will protect against the Judaization of Jerusalem.’’

In its statement, the Israeli foreign ministry said: ‘’Israel consistently protects total freedom of worship for Jews, Muslims and Christians – and will continue to do so despite the baseless slander launched against it.”

In his comments, the Turkish President also called Israel 'inhumane and cruel,' while accusing the Jewish state of ‘’massacres’’ against the Palestinians. "Turkey attaches great importance to the justified resistance of the Palestinians and will not yield to Israeli attempts to change the status quo in the Al-Aqsa Mosque," said Erdogan.

Erdogan also took issue in particular with the pending legislation in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, known as the ‘’Muezzin bill.’’ The legislation would prevent mosques in Israel from using loudspeakers outside their buildings for prayer late at night and early in the morning.

“The bill to ban the adhan (call to prayer) is pending at the Israeli parliament,” Erdogan said. “It is disgraceful for those who lecture us about the freedom of religion to turn a blind eye to this attempt. Turkey will not let these attempts against freedom of belief to prevail.”

“Why are they afraid of the call to prayer?” he asked. “Are they unsure of their own fate? We do not and will not treat our Jewish citizens like that.”

According to The Jerusalem Post, Turkey’s Ambassador to Israel Kemal Okem was summoned to the foreign ministry and was asked to clarify Erdogan’s statements.

Israel would not remain silent in the face of such rhetoric, a diplomatic source was quoting as saying.