ISTANBUL: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday launched his most bitter attack yet against Israel over its air campaign against the Gaza Strip, accusing it of trying to carry out a “systematic genocide” of the Palestinians.
Erdogan, a pious Muslim who sees himself as a champion of the Palestinian cause, has intensified his rhetoric against Israel as he presents himself as a leader of the entire Islamic world ahead of August 10 presidential election in Turkey.
But in his latest attack, he went even further in comments that could endanger attempts to normalise troubled relations between Israel and Turkey.
“This is not the first time we have been confronted by such situations,” Erdogan told a meeting of Islamic scholars gathered in Istanbul for Ramadan, a holy month of fasting for Muslims.
“Since (the creation of the state of Israel) in 1948 we have been witnessing this attempt at systematic genocide every day and every month.
“But above all we are witnessing this attempt at systematic genocide every Ramadan.”
The violence has so far claimed the lives of 241 people in Gaza and one person in Israel, with Israel bombarding Gaza while Palestinian militant group Hamas launch rockets at Israel.
“The Western world remains silent, so does the Islamic world. Because those who lost their lives are Palestinian, you can’t hear their voices,” Erdogan added.
Erdogan renewed his vehement criticism of the United Nations, which he accused of having no use and pursuing a hidden agenda.
“What is the UN doing? Why has it been founded? For world peace? Does it contribute to the world peace? No. They are serving whatever their secret agenda is.”
But he also accused other Islamic countries of being indifferent to the fate of the Palestinians, a possible swipe at Saudi Arabia and Egypt, with which Ankara has prickly ties.
“I am asking the Islamic world, isn’t your heart shattered? Forget about the West. If your family does not embrace you, would others do that?”
Hundreds of protestors held a march in central Istanbul yesterday shouting slogans like “Palestine and Gaza are our honour” and “Damn murderer Israel!”
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, meanwhile, scoffed at claims by Israel’s outspoken top diplomat Avigdor Lieberman that Turkey was seeking to sabotage Egypt-brokered attempts for a ceasefire.
“I have never taken the Israeli foreign minister seriously,” Davutoglu said in an interview with Turkish television.
He said Turkey would speak up against “crimes against humanity” in Gaza.
Israeli media have reported that Turkey pressured Hamas not to accept the ceasefire proposal floated by Egypt, with which Turkey has had strained relations since the ousting of Islamist president Mohamed Mursi.
AFP
