- Turkish President Erdogan says Hamas is fighting to protect Palestinian territories
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan yesterday claimed that Hamas was not a terrorist organization but a “liberation group” as he canceled his planned visit to Israel.
He said Hamas was fighting to protect Palestinian territories and accused the West of “adding fuel to the fire.” He canceled his trip and condemned the “carnage and destruction” in Gaza.
It marks a turnaround in Turkey’s recent efforts to improve relations with the West. Earlier this week, Erdogan dropped his long-held objection to Sweden joining NATO by submitting his bid to parliament for ratification.
Yesterday he told lawmakers of his ruling AK Party: ‘Hamas is not a terrorist organization, it is a liberation group, a ‘mujahideen’ fighting a battle to protect its country and people.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (pictured) yesterday claimed that Hamas was not a terrorist organization but a “liberation group” as he canceled his planned visit to Israel.
Gunmen from the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, take part in a military parade in Gaza City
“The perpetrators of the carnage and destruction taking place in Gaza are those who provide unlimited support to Israel. Israel’s attacks on Gaza, both for themselves and those who support them, amount to murder and mental illness.”
Speaking about his first meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a UN summit last month, he said: “If he had gone ahead with good intentions, our relations might have been different, but now that won’t happen because they took advantage of our good intentions. .’
After Hamas’ attack on October 7, Erdogan initially reacted in a measured manner, condemning the group for its actions and urging Israel to act with restraint.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Haiat said: “Even the Turkish president’s attempt to defend the terrorist organization and his inflammatory words will not change the horrors the whole world has seen.”