Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticised Israel on Monday, accusing the country of committing “complete genocide” in Gaza and placing full responsibility for the killings on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“I don’t think we can explain it in any other way. This is completely a genocide. And this genocide is caused by Netanyahu. Netanyahu, mercilessly, has unfortunately killed tens of thousands with this genocide,” Erdogan stated during an interview with Fox News at the UN General Assembly in New York.
He further added that over 120,000 people had been injured in Gaza and that Türkiye has offered assistance by bringing many of the injured into the country for medical care, reports Anadolu Agency.
“We are in complete opposition to this genocide,” Erdogan declared.
When asked about Hamas and the hostages it holds, Erdogan rejected claims that the blame rested solely with the Palestinian group. He said, “This is not a crime that is one sided. I think that would be wrong to accuse just Hamas about this. At the same time, how can we put aside what Netanyahu has done?”
Erdogan also accused Israel of carrying out indiscriminate attacks on civilians. “When it comes to weapons, it (Hamas) can’t even be compared with Israel, and Israel is using this power without mercy, from age seven to 70, children, women, the elderly. They have no mercy. And these people are being killed,” he emphasised.
The Turkish president expressed scepticism about the prospects for resolving the conflict, drawing a parallel with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
“You might remember (US President Donald Trump) said: ‘I will finish the Russia-Ukraine war.’ Did it end? It still goes on. Similarly, he said: ‘I will finish the war in Gaza.’ Did he? No.”
Regarding Hamas, Erdogan rejected the notion that it is a terrorist organisation. “I don’t see Hamas as a terrorist organisation. On the contrary, I see it as a resistance group…They are using what they have to try to defend themselves,” he explained.
Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 65,300 Palestinians following an attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023. The military campaign has devastated Gaza, which is now facing a severe famine.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza last November. Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its actions in the enclave.
President Erdogan also spoke about his forthcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, where he plans to discuss the stalled F-35 fighter jet program. “We are partners in the F-35 project,” he said, adding, “So far, we have paid $1.4 billion…Some aircraft were on the brink of delivery, but at the last minute, the delivery was halted. I don’t think it is very becoming of a strategic partnership.”
While the US has approved the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye, tensions persist over Ankara’s acquisition of Russia’s S-400 air defense system, which led to its removal from the F-35 program and US-imposed sanctions. Erdogan noted that discussions at the White House would also cover the delivery of F-16 jets, production, maintenance, and broader defense cooperation.
On US-Türkiye economic relations, Erdogan expressed optimism.
Turning to the Russia-Ukraine war, Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s balanced approach to both nations. “Russia has very serious losses. Ukraine also has very serious losses, both in human terms and financially. We would not have wished this to happen,” he said.
He suggested that NATO could consider adopting a similar diplomatic approach to Türkiye’s, engaging both sides to reduce tensions.
