In a move that has raised eyebrows internationally, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared on Wednesday that he views Hamas not as a terrorist organization, but as a liberation group fighting for its land.
The statement was made during a speech to his party members in the Turkish parliament and was reported by Reuters.
Erdogan's comments come at a time when tensions in the Middle East are already high, and they have the potential to further strain Turkey's relations with Israel and other Western nations.
The Turkish President didn't stop at his endorsement of Hamas; he also announced the cancellation of a planned trip to Israel.
"We had a plan to go to Israel, but it is canceled; we are not going," Erdogan stated, as reported by AFP according to Alarabiya News. He accused Israel of taking advantage of Turkey's good intentions, although he did not elaborate on what those intentions were or how Israel had allegedly taken advantage of them.
The Turkish President's stance on Hamas and his decision to cancel the Israel trip are likely to be topics of discussion and concern among international leaders. His comments could have implications for Turkey's diplomatic relations and its role in ongoing Middle East peace efforts.
Erdogan's remarks have already sparked a range of reactions online, with some supporting his stance and others criticizing it as irresponsible given the volatile situation in the Middle East.
The Turkish President has yet to provide further details on the cancellation of his Israel trip or his future plans regarding relations with Hamas and other groups in the region.
