Israel is occupier, says Erdogan to pro-Palestinian rally.
In a significant move, Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan addressed a massive pro-Palestinian rally in Istanbul, just a day before the centenary celebrations of Turkey’s secular republic.
Speaking to hundreds of thousands of supporters, Erdogan strongly condemned Israel’s actions in the Israel-Hamas conflict, accusing the country of openly committing war crimes for 22 days. He criticized Western leaders for their lack of response and stated that Turkey would declare Israel a war criminal.
During his hour-long speech, Erdogan reiterated his stance that Hamas was not a terrorist organization, but rather, he described Israel as an occupier.
This position drew sharp criticism from Italy and Israel, especially in light of his recent labeling of Hamas as “Palestinian freedom fighters” following their attack on southern Israel, which caused 1,400 civilian deaths.
Unlike many of its NATO allies and some Gulf states, Turkey does not classify Hamas as a terrorist group.
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The country has long supported a two-state solution and has offered to mediate the release of hostages taken by Hamas during their October 7 assault.
Political analysts noted Erdogan’s attempt to reinforce his criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, a move seen as an effort to overshadow Sunday’s celebrations marking Turkey’s secular foundation.
Sinan Ulgen, a former Turkish diplomat and director of a prominent think-tank in Istanbul, pointed out that Erdogan’s strong rhetoric was prompted by the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and pressure from political allies.
However, Ulgen cautioned that Turkey needed a more delicate diplomacy approach to effectively play a significant diplomatic role in the matter.
At the rally, attended by heads of allied nationalist and religious parties, Erdogan criticized opposition parties for not labeling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “terrorist,” contrasting it with their use of the term for Hamas.
Israel is occupier, says Erdogan to pro-Palestinian rally.
Erdogan had invited all Turks to attend the rally, emphasizing that only the Turkish and Palestinian flags would wave, aiming to consolidate anti-Israel sentiment domestically.
The timing of Erdogan’s pro-Palestinian rally, just ahead of the republic’s centennial celebrations, holds significant symbolism.
While the Turkish government has organized events across the country to mark the 100th anniversary of the secular republic, Erdogan’s strong stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict has grabbed headlines, potentially overshadowing the historical milestone.
Observers noted that Erdogan’s move was not only a reflection of Ankara’s consistent position but also a strategic attempt to bolster support among Turkey’s Sunni conservatives.
