Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan attends Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November, 11, 2023. Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS/File photo
In a fiery speech on Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced Israel as a “terror state” and accused it of committing war crimes in Gaza. Erdogan, known for his outspoken criticisms of Israeli policies, intensified his condemnation of the military campaign against the Palestinian group Hamas, characterizing it as “the most treacherous attacks in human history.”
Speaking just ahead of a planned visit to Germany, Erdogan asserted that Israel’s actions were in violation of international law and received unwavering support from Western allies. He called for Israeli leaders to face trial for war crimes at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Erdogan reiterated Turkey’s stance that Hamas, often classified as a terrorist organization by the UK, the US, the EU, and some Arab states, is a political party that won democratic elections.
Erdogan, who hosts some members of Hamas, accused Israel of employing “state terrorism” by targeting civilians forced out of their homes during the conflict. He asserted, “Israel is a terror state,” expressing his conviction without hesitation.
During the upcoming visit to Germany, Erdogan is expected to address the conflict, marking his first visit to a Western nation since the recent escalation in Gaza. Germany has expressed strong solidarity with Israel while emphasizing the need to minimize the impact of military operations on Gaza’s civilian population.
Erdogan criticized the Western perspective on the issue, particularly the United States, accusing them of misunderstanding the situation. He announced plans to contact leaders of countries that abstained from a recent UN General Assembly vote on an aid truce in Gaza.
In a call with Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, Erdogan sought Rome’s support in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza. He emphasized Turkey’s crucial role in preventing the escalation of the conflict and called for rapid de-escalation.
Erdogan also directed a challenge at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to declare whether Israel possesses nuclear weapons. He predicted Netanyahu’s departure from office, stating that he would soon be a “goner.”
In a bold move, Erdogan likened the Israel-Palestine conflict to a broader confrontation between the Christian and Muslim worlds, describing it as “a matter of cross and crescent.”
Additionally, Erdogan announced plans to classify Israeli settlers in occupied Palestinian territories as “terrorists” and emphasized Turkey’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause.
Amid the ongoing conflict, Turkey has dispatched humanitarian aid, medicine, and medical teams to Gaza, collaborating with Egyptian and Israeli authorities to transport cancer patients and wounded civilians to Turkey for treatment. Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced the evacuation of 26 patients and their companions to Turkey, expressing Ankara’s intention to bring more of the nearly 1,000 cancer patients from Gaza for treatment.
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