ANKARA – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in his strongest feedback but on the Gaza battle, stated on Wednesday the Palestinian militant group Hamas was not a terrorist group however a liberation group combating to guard Palestinian lands and folks.
Chatting with lawmakers from his ruling AK Celebration, Erdogan additionally referred to as for a direct ceasefire between Israeli and Palestinian forces and stated Muslim international locations should act collectively to safe an enduring peace within the area.
“Hamas will not be a terrorist group, it’s a liberation group, ‘mujahideen’ waging a battle to guard its lands and folks,” he stated, utilizing an Arabic phrase denoting those that battle for his or her religion.
Erdogan additionally slammed Western powers which have voiced help for Israel’s retaliation towards Hamas, saying “Western tears shed for Israel are a manifestation of fraud.”
A lot of Turkey’s NATO allies take into account Hamas a terrorist group, and Erdogan’s feedback drew a swift rebuke from Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who stated they have been “grave and disgusting and didn’t assist with de-escalation.”
“I’ll suggest to my colleague (Overseas Minister Antonio) Tajani to ship a proper protest and to summon the Turkish Ambassador,” Salvini stated in a be aware.
Turkey has condemned the civilians deaths that resulted from Hamas’ Ocober 7 rampage in southern Israel but additionally urged Israel to react in a restrained approach.
It has since strongly condemned Israel’s heavy bombardment of Gaza, which is managed by the militant group, whereas providing to mediate within the battle and sending a number of shipments of humanitarian assist.
Erdogan accused Israel of profiting from Turkey’s good intentions. Turkey had beforehand been working to fix long-strained ties with Israel and Erdogan stated he had now canceled a deliberate journey to Israel due to the occasions in Gaza.
Turkey, which hosts members of Hamas on its territory, backs a two-state resolution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian battle.
Reuters
