President Erdogan: US acts as Israel's protector

In his opening speech at the 5th Conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Jerusalem Platform, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized the importance of the platform's activities in defending the Palestinian cause on a global scale.

'Netanyahu is 'Butcher of Gaza'

In his speech, President Erdogan underlined the lasting legacy of the contributions of his ancestors to Jerusalem over the centuries and stated that despite attempts to erase them, their impact remains. Condemning the ongoing violence in Gaza, Erdogan described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the 'Butcher of Gaza' for his role in the conflict.

Pointing to the Netanyahu administration, Erdogan said, "Those who want to see a pharaoh should not look far; let them look at those who have mercilessly killed more than 35,000 Palestinians since 2023."

"Even if others turn their backs, we will not turn our backs, because we believe in Allah and the Day of Judgment. Provocations against the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, our first Qibla, keep increasing. The ancient identity of Jerusalem is being destroyed step by step by occupying Israel," he added.

Expressing unwavering support for the Palestinian people, President Erdogan stressed Türkiye's commitment to providing aid to Gaza, with nearly 50,000 tons of humanitarian aid sent by air and sea since October 7. Referring to the ongoing situation in Gaza, Erdogan said, "Despite everything, our Palestinian brothers and sisters have been resisting alone for 203 days. No one can expect us to remain silent in the face of genocide. We will continue to consider our Hamas brothers and sisters who defend their homeland against the occupiers as the National Forces of Palestine."

"My prayer is this: Allah almighty, manifest your name Al-Kahhar and completely destroy the Zionists, starting with Netanyahu," he added.

Türkiye's support for Gaza

On Türkiye's stance towards Israel, President Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye's position as the only country to impose export restrictions on Israel covering 54 product categories. Addressing the controversy surrounding the radar center in Kurecik, President Erdogan rejected any external connection, stressing that the radar center has exclusive ties with Türkiye and its allies.

President Erdogan also criticized the U.S. administration's unconditional military and diplomatic support to Israel, saying that this support has exacerbated the ongoing conflict in the region instead of resolving it. He said that the U.S., instead of being an impartial arbiter, it acts as Israel's protector.

Referring to protests in many universities throughout the U.S. against the massacre in Gaza, Erdogan said, "We see what is being done to students who react to the persecution in Gaza in U.S. universities."

Reform in the UN

Erdogan also called on the international system that remains silent on the massacre in Gaza and said, "The U.N. Security Council could neither influence Israel nor stop the massacre in Gaza. It is not possible for this structure, which leaves the fate of all humanity to 5 countries, to continue."

Source: Newsroom