Turkish president, a strong supporter of Hamas, says Turkey has no plans to restore diplomatic, trade ties with Israel./em>
By World Israel News Staff
Turkey will support the Palestinians until they are “liberated” and will continue taking steps to curb “Israeli aggression,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday.
“What Turkey is doing for Palestine, Gaza, and Lebanon is far greater than what is visible,” Erdogan said at a press conference following a cabinet meeting.
“For 14 months, a highly bloody and extremely dangerous war has been ongoing right next to Türkiye, despite some individuals’ insistence on ignoring it,” he continued.
Erodgan reiterated his anti-Israel stance, stating that his government “will not continue and develop its relations with Israel,” according to a summary of his comments published by the Xinua news agency.
“We have cut trade and ties with Israel, period,” Erdogan said.
Recent reports indicated that Turkey may serve as a safe haven for Hamas officials and their families, after the terror group was asked to leave its patron state of Qatar.
Erdogan has hosted Hamas’ senior leadership numerous times, and stressed that Turkey does not classify Hamas as a terror group.
The Turkish leader has repeatedly made inflammatory remarks about the Jewish State since the onset of the October 7th war.
He has accused Israel of committing “genocide” against Gazans, called Israel a “terrorist state,” and said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “worse than Hitler.”
Earlier this week, Erdogan praised the ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
“We support the arrest warrant,” Erdogan said during a speech in Istanbul, urging that EU member states arrest Netanyahu and Gallant should they travel to their territories.
“We consider it important that this courageous decision be carried out by all country members of the accord to renew the trust of humanity in the international system.”