Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has described the radical Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip as a liberation organization. “Hamas is not a terrorist organization. Hamas is a liberation group fighting to protect its country and its people,” Erdogan said in a speech to lawmakers from his conservative Islamist AK Party.
According to Israeli figures, Hamas attacked Israel unexpectedly on October 7, killing more than 1,400 people and kidnapping more than 220 hostages. Many countries classify them as terrorist organizations. Erdogan’s designation of Hamas as a liberation organization immediately drew criticism. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini of the far-right League called it “disgusting”. He will propose to Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani that he summon the Turkish ambassador.
Türkiye provides shelter to Hamas members
Turkey supports the Palestinian population with aid deliveries, supports a two-state solution and offers shelter to Hamas members. The government in Ankara has also acted as a mediator in Israel’s war against Hamas. In his speech on Wednesday, Erdogan called for an immediate ceasefire. Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip must end immediately, as should attacks on Israeli territory.
Support for Israel “insane”
The Israeli attacks and support for them amount to ‘murder’ and ‘mental illness’. The “tears that the West sheds for Israel are an expression of deception.” According to Gaza authorities, Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas attack have killed more than 6,500 people since October 7, including 2,700 children.
The Turkish president called on the Islamic states to act together and work for lasting peace in the Middle East. He called on world powers to put pressure on Israel to end its attacks on the Gaza Strip. The border crossing with Egypt must remain open so that aid deliveries can reach people in the Gaza Strip and prisoners can be exchanged, Erdogan demanded.
Put an end to ‘settlement terror’.
Israel benefited from Turkey’s good intentions, the president continued. He will therefore not travel to Israel as planned. “We have no problem with the Israeli state. But we have problems with Israel’s policies towards the Palestinians.” Israel must end its “settlement terror” in Ramallah in the West Bank and elsewhere. Such Jewish settlements have been built on occupied territory in the West Bank for a long time, but are not internationally recognized. The United Nations has issued a resolution calling for an immediate and complete halt to settlement construction.
Calls for UN reform
Erdogan regretted that the UN had failed to agree on a resolution on the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip and on a call for a humanitarian ceasefire. He called for reform of the UN Security Council to make it more inclusive. This body currently consists of five permanent and ten non-permanent members. The five permanent members, the US, Russia, China, Britain and France, each have veto power, meaning resolutions often fail.
Phone conversation with Putin
According to his office, the Turkish president had previously stated in a telephone conversation with Russian head of state Vladimir Putin that the silence of Western countries was worsening the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Accordingly, Erdogan said in the conversation that atrocities in the Palestinian territories were getting worse and civilians were being killed continuously.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
