Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has denounced Israel's decision to recognize the Armenian Genocide, describing it as slander.

He said those responsible for crimes committed against civilians in the Gaza Strip are "trying to conceal their actions through slander, including accusations directed against Turkey," Factor.am reported.

Erdogan made the remarks in a televised address following a meeting of the Turkish government.

"We categorically reject the slander directed at our country by a criminal network whose hands are stained with the blood of 75,000 innocent people in Gaza, primarily children and women," the Turkish president said.

He added that throughout Turkey's history there have been instances when the country provided refuge to people fleeing Nazi persecution. According to Erdogan, those who are now slandering Turkey in an attempt to hide the crimes committed in Gaza are fully aware of that historical reality.

On June 28, the Israeli government officially recognized the Armenian Genocide through a vote, approving the relevant draft decision submitted late last week by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar.