Watan-The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said, “The Israelis have surpassed Hitler long ago.” He added during his party’s parliamentary bloc meeting, “We say to those who turn a blind eye to the killing of 14,000 innocent children and try to gain Israel’s support by claiming that Hamas is a terrorist organization, we will bravely defend Palestine’s struggle for independence under all circumstances.”
Since the beginning of the war, the Turkish president has intensified his criticism of Israel following its military assault on Gaza, describing the occupation’s actions as war crimes that almost amount to “genocide.” However, Turkey’s slow and modest efforts on the ground to support Gaza have been widely criticized.
In response to these criticisms, Erdogan said in his speech, “Some of our steps may not be visible, and we may not be able to disclose some of our actions, but those who question our sensitivity towards the Palestinian cause will feel embarrassment and shame sooner or later.”
He added, “They will see the magnitude of the injustice they have committed against us in front of history.”
The Turkish president affirmed that Hamas, which Israel, the United States, and the European Union consider a terrorist organization, is an armed organization fighting for the liberation of its lands and people.
لنستمع للاخير اخوتي…
“قد لا تكون أفعالنا من أجل فلسطين مرئية، وقد لا نتمكن من الإفصاح عن بعضها، لكن من ينتقدون حساسيتنا تجاه القضية الفلسطينية سيشعرون بالحرج والعار عاجلا أم آجلا. والتاريخ سيُثبت ذلك.
حماس بالنسبة لنا هي تماما مثل القوات الوطنية التي جلبت للاستقلال خلال… pic.twitter.com/0jScYBXbid
— Muhammet Erdoğan 🇹🇷- محمد أردوغان (@Muhamed_Erdogan) April 17, 2024
Addressing the attendees, the Turkish leader, who was elected for a third presidential term in May, said, “Do not forget, we carry the heavy burden of our people on our shoulders,” and emphasized, “We govern a state and bear the trust of 85 million people.”
False allegations
Erdogan continued, saying that some accuse us, our party, and our government of allegations they know very well are baseless, placing our Turkish Republic under the circle of accusation.
He added sharply, “No one has the right or the authority to question me or my blessed cadre regarding our sensitivity towards the Palestinian cause.”
Erdogan likened Hamas to the National Forces during the Turkish national struggle, prompting the hall to erupt in applause.
He concluded, “We certainly realize that saying this comes with a price, and we know that it has become difficult in this time of cracks to stand with truth and justice, but let the whole world know, understand, and realize.”
Directing his words to Western countries that oppose him, he said, “We will not bow to your assassination attempts, your coup attempts, your economic attacks, or your misinformation campaigns.”
The Turkish leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, concluded his speech by saying, “As Recep Tayyip Erdogan, even if I remain alone, as long as God gives me life, I will continue to defend the Palestinian struggle, and I will continue to be the voice of the oppressed Palestinian people, and we will all continue to do so.”