Turkey on Sunday sharply criticized Israel for describing the mass killings of Armenians during World War I as an act of ethnic cleansing. Ankara called the move a political decision aimed at covering up Israel’s own alleged crimes.

In a statement, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said the Israeli government, which faces accusations of systematic persecution of Palestinians and is under trial at the International Court of Justice over alleged genocide in Gaza, is attempting to hide its actions by politicizing the 1915 events. The ministry argued that recognizing the Armenian killings as genocide while being accused of ongoing oppression of Palestinians is a politically motivated step.

According to Turkey, Israel’s stance on the Armenian genocide issue reflects an effort to deflect international criticism of its treatment of Palestinians and the situation in Gaza.