[Salon] Turkey's Erdogan Says Hamas Is 'Liberation Group, ' Not Terrorists, Cancels Israel Visit

[Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>]

ReutersHaaretz
Oct 25, 2023

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Palestinian militant group Hamas is not a terrorist organization but a liberation group waging a battle to protect its land.

In a speech to his party's lawmakers in parliament, Erdogan said Israel had taken advantage of Turkey's good intentions and that he will not go to Israel as previously planned.

He described Hamas not a terrorist organization, but "a liberation group waging a battle to protect its land."

The Turkish president called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and the various Palestinian factions, and stated that Israel must "heed calls for peace", saying that a prisoner exchange should be concluded "urgently" to deescalate the rising tensions.

He demanded that Israel "stop attacks on Gaza", which he referred to as "assassinations", and to stop "settlement terror" in the West Bank, stating that Israel should "seek to achieve security from its regional neighbors."

Erdogan also called on the Palestinian people to "unite, act as one to secure a two-state solution", and demanded that attacks on Israel's lands stop as well.

Erdogan further said that Turkey will continue to use all political, diplomatic and military means necessary, called on Muslim countries to "act together" to secure a "ceasefire and lasting peace", and said that Arab states must provide "moral, financial support" to this effort.

The Turkish leader also turned his eye to the international community, saying that he was "saddened" by the UN's inability to agree on a resolution regarding Israel's bombardment of Gaza, saying that the Security Council needs to be "reformed" to be "more inclusive".

He called on "non-regional actors" to stop "adding fuel to the fire" in support of Israel's attacks, which he referred to as "mental illness", and called on world powers to pressure Israel to halt attacks on Gaza, and to ensure that the Rafah border gate remains open for humanitarian aid.

Italy's deputy prime minister condemned the words said by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Palestinian militant group Hamas, defining them "grave and disgusting".

Matteo Salvini would suggest to Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani to formally summon the Turkish ambassador to Italy, the deputy PM's office said in a note.