Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan made a statement on October 25, 2023, in which he called Hamas a “liberation group” and “mujahideen” fighting to protect Palestinian lands and people[1][2][3]. He also criticized Western powers that have voiced support for Israel’s retaliation against Hamas, saying “Western tears shed for Israel are a manifestation of fraud”[1]. Erdogan called for an immediate ceasefire between Israeli and Palestinian forces and said Muslim countries must act together to secure a lasting peace in the region[1]. Many of Turkey’s NATO allies consider Hamas a terrorist group, and Erdogan’s comments drew a swift rebuke from Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who said they were “grave and disgusting and did not help with de-escalation”[1]. Erdogan had previously been working to mend long-strained ties with Israel and said he had now canceled a planned visit to the country due to the “inhumane” Gaza war[4][6].
Citations:
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkeys-erdogan-says-hamas-is-not-terrorist-organisation-2023-10-25/
[2] https://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-recep-tayyip-erdogan-israel-hamas-war-freedom-fighters/
[3] https://www.timesofisrael.com/turkeys-erdogan-hamas-arent-terrorists-theyre-mujahideen-defending-homeland/
[4] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/25/turkeys-erdogan-scraps-israel-trip-over-inhumane-gaza-war
[5] https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/oct/25/israel-hamas-war-live-news-gaza-child-deaths-unicef-jenin-west-bank-strike
[6] https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/diplomacy/1698246581-turkish-president-s-refuses-to-call-hamas-a-terrorist-organization-cancels-planned-israel-visit
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