Erdogan Accuses Israel of Genocide in Gaza, Demands Cease-Fire and International Justice
September 6, 2024In a significant move, Türkiye has formally requested to join proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice concerning genocide claims.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye has accused Israel and its supporters of being responsible for the deaths in Gaza, attributing these fatalities to severe shortages of food, water, and medicine.
During a news conference with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Erdogan condemned the ongoing situation in Gaza as 'genocide' and called for an immediate cease-fire and humanitarian aid.
Erdogan further criticized the Israeli administration for obstructing humanitarian aid delivery and undermining the resilience of the Palestinian people.
He condemned the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas, as a reflection of Israel's aggressive tactics, despite Israel not claiming responsibility for the act.
Erdogan urged the global community to acknowledge their responsibilities, accusing certain countries of complicity in Israel's actions through unconditional support.
Türkiye is actively supporting cease-fire mediation efforts led by Egypt, Qatar, and the US, while also criticizing Israel's rigid stance in negotiations.
He emphasized the shared position of Türkiye and Egypt regarding the Palestinian issue and their commitment to promoting regional peace and stability.
He called for a shift from ambiguous policies to prevent further tensions in the region and reiterated the importance of correcting past mistakes.
He highlighted the alarming death toll in Gaza, which has reached 41,000, and insisted that those responsible must face justice, referencing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to the US Congress.
Erdogan noted that Türkiye has contributed 32% of the total aid sent to Gaza and expressed gratitude towards Egyptian authorities for their collaboration in delivering essential supplies.
Erdogan rejected Netanyahu's accusations against Egypt regarding the Philadelphi Corridor, asserting that they were meant to mislead public opinion and obstruct mediation efforts.
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