Erdogan condemns Israel, urging global action on Gaza atrocities

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday addressed the ongoing Israeli atrocities in Gaza, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and criticizing the silence of those who failed to speak out against the persecution of Palestinians.

Expressing deep concern over the escalating violence in Rafah, where at least 45 innocent Palestinians lost their lives during relentless attacks on tents, President Erdogan condemned the disturbing footage emerging from the region as “unbearable” to witness.

Hypocrisy of EU, US

Erdogan didn’t mince words in holding the United States accountable for its involvement, asserting that the bloodshed in Gaza has stained the hands of the U.S. as well. He further called out leaders of European states for their complicity in Israel’s actions, highlighting their silence in the face of attacks on mosques, schools and hospitals.

Calling out to the U.S. and Europe for the Gaza massacre, the Turkish president said: “This blood is also on your hands. Heads of state and governments of Europe! You became partners in this vampirism of Israel because you were silent.”

Erdogan also underscored the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, where innocent lives are being lost while fundamental freedoms and rights are eroding. He criticized European countries for their hypocrisy, asserting that their silence on the atrocities in Gaza undermines their credibility on issues of press freedom and human rights.

Role of UN

Erdogan questioned the efficacy of the United Nations in preventing genocide and protecting civilians. He lamented the failure of the U.N. to intervene effectively in Gaza, emphasizing the need for swift action to address the ongoing crisis.

“The U.N. could not even protect its own personnel and aid workers, let alone stop the genocide (in Gaza),” he said, adding, “People are being burned in tents. When will you see, when will you convene?”

Erdogan urged Islamic countries to unite and take a stand against the violence in Gaza. He warned against the consequences of remaining silent in the face of oppression and emphasized the collective responsibility to hold perpetrators of violence to account.

Support for Palestine recognition

Erdogan commended countries that have recognized Palestine as a state and called for a united front against injustice. He emphasized that the world cannot allow the decisions of a few powerful nations to dictate Palestine’s fate as he reiterated the importance of solidarity in the face of oppression.

“The joint decision of 147 U.N. countries (to recognize the state of Palestine) cannot be left to the whim of five nations,” he underlined.

Erdogan vowed that the atrocities committed in Gaza would not be forgotten and called for justice for the victims. He underscored the importance of standing up against oppression and ensuring that the voices of the oppressed are heard on the global stage.

“Israel is occupying the territory of another state. It must pay the price before the law. Israel and its supporters think that this genocide will be forgotten. They have managed to make the Western public forget the genocides they have committed so far, but this time the world will not forget,” he said and added: “No state, including Türkiye, is safe until Israel abides by international law.”