Erdogan accuses Israel of destruction strategy in Gaza
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has once again verbally attacked Israel shortly before his trip to Germany and accused the country of pursuing a strategy of destruction against people in the city of Gaza. "Israel is pursuing a strategy of total destruction of a city and its people by deliberately targeting schools, mosques, churches, hospitals, markets, buildings and streets," Erdogan told members of his Islamic-conservative ruling party AKP in Ankara.
With "boundless support from America and Western countries", the Israeli government has been committing "non-stop massacres" for 40 days, Erdogan said. He once again accused Israel of "state terror".
Erdogan is expected to visit Berlin on Friday. He had recently questioned Israel's legitimacy. He said on Friday that Israel was trying to "build a state whose history goes back only 75 years and whose legitimacy is called into question by its own fascism". Erdogan also described the Islamist Hamas, which is listed as a terrorist organization in Israel, the USA and the EU, as a "liberation organization".
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) had invited Erdogan after his re-election as president in May. In addition to Scholz, the Turkish head of state will also meet Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. In view of the differences in the assessment of the Gaza war, Scholz has announced that he will address these offensively.
Erdogan's criticisms of Israel extend beyond destruction in Gaza, as he also accused Israel of committing "non-stop massacres" with "boundless support from America and Western countries." In response to Israel's alleged state terror, Erdogan continues to support Hamas, labeling it as a "liberation organization."
In light of ongoing conflicts and differing perspectives, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has acknowledged the need to address these issues directly with Erdogan during their forthcoming meeting.
Source: www.dpa.com
