“Erdogan Condemns Israel, Urges Hamas Recognition, Predicts Netanyahu’s Exit.”
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel of being a “terror state,” alleging war crimes and violations of international law in Gaza. He intensified his recurrent condemnations of Israeli leaders and their supporters in the West. Erdogan, just before his planned visit to Germany, criticized Israel’s military campaign against Hamas as “treacherous attacks” with unwavering support from Western nations. He demanded Israeli leaders face trial for war crimes at the International Court of Justice, reiterating Turkey’s stance that Hamas is a political party, not a terrorist group.
While nations like Britain, the United States, the European Union, and some Arab states classify Hamas as a terrorist organization, Turkey does not. Erdogan firmly stated in parliament that Israel’s actions amounted to “state terrorism” by bombing civilians forcibly displaced from their homes. He emphasized Hamas members defending their lands as resistance fighters, opposing the discomfort some have with that truth.
Erdogan’s upcoming visit to Germany would mark his first to a Western nation since Israel’s offensive in Gaza commenced. Germany has expressed solidarity with Israel while urging the mitigation of military operations’ impact on Gaza’s civilians. Erdogan criticized the Western perspective, particularly the United States, on the matter and called on Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to disclose Israel’s possession of nuclear weapons. He also predicted Netanyahu’s imminent departure from office.
The Turkish president likened the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians to a clash between the Christian and Muslim worlds, framing it as “a matter of cross and crescent.” Additionally, Erdogan pledged steps to label Israeli settlers in occupied Palestinian territories as “terrorists.”
