During an iftar event in Istanbul, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a powerful message on the ongoing crisis in Gaza, specifically targeting the role of Western countries in the conflict. Erdoğan condemned the support provided by these nations to Israel, stating,
"The hypocrisy of Western countries, which provided ammunition support to Israel to carry out its massacres, turned Gaza into the world's largest children's and women's cemetery." Erdogan says according to NTV.tr.
This stark condemnation comes amidst a backdrop of nearly 40,000 people reportedly killed in what Erdoğan describes as one of the century's most brutal genocides.
Erdoğan's speech highlighted the failure of international organizations and the Islamic world to effectively address the situation in Gaza. He expressed disappointment in the global response, emphasizing that the crisis demands more than what has been offered so far.
"International institutions and organizations have once again failed in Gaza. We must admit that the Islamic world also did not perform well in this process," Erdoğan remarked.
The President also reflected on Turkey's longstanding commitment to the Palestinian cause, recalling his famous "One minute" protest against Israel's actions 15 years ago. He reaffirmed Turkey's support for Gaza, challenging the misinformation that seeks to undermine this stance. "Turkey stands by its brothers and sisters in Gaza with all its resources. Lies and distortions can never cover up this reality," he asserted.
In addition to addressing the international crisis, Erdoğan criticized local governance issues within Turkey, accusing some city administrations of incompetence and neglect. He described them as "part-time workers" rather than fully committed to solving the cities' complex problems and prioritizing personal promotion over public service.
President Erdoğan's speech at the iftar event in Istanbul served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and a call to action for the international community. By highlighting the role of Western countries in the conflict, Erdoğan seeks to draw attention to the urgent need for a more effective and compassionate global response to the plight of Gaza's children and women.
