US giving itself bad name: Turkiye
The Turkish foreign minister reportedly told his US counterpart that Washington is 'tarnishing' its global reputation by supporting Israel’s genocide in Gaza
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken during their meeting on 6 November that Washington’s stance on the Gaza-Israel war is “tarnishing” its international reputation and is putting the world in a difficult position.
During the meeting, Fidan “spoke openly” and warned Blinken “about the current state of the US image in world public opinion and the region,” Turkish newspaper Hürriyet reported on 7 November.
“The US is damaging its own image both in the region and in the whole world … because you are seen as the patron of the crimes committed by Israel," the newspaper cites Fidan as telling his US counterpart.
The foreign minister “clearly explained” to Blinken what has been happening in Gaza, highlighting the deaths of thousands of children and the incessant targeting of civilian infrastructure by Israel.
“You're putting everyone in trouble,” he told the secretary. The report also states that Fidan received the US diplomat coldly and drew back when Blinken tried to hug him.
No press conferences were held between the two; no joint statements were issued after the meeting.
Blinken said afterward that he held a “productive” meeting with Fidan about the need to “significantly expand humanitarian assistance.”
Over recent days, Washington has been pushing for a so-called “humanitarian pause” in Gaza but outright refuses to call for a ceasefire.
“It’s our view that a ceasefire now would leave Hamas in place to regroup and repeat attacks,” Blinken said on 4 November.
Large protests in solidarity with Gaza have been ongoing in Turkiye.
Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered on 5 November outside the Incirlik Air Base in southeastern Turkiye to protest US support for Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza that has now killed almost 10,000 Palestinians, the majority women and children.
Despite the close political and energy relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv, Turkiye has taken a strong public stance against Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
“[Israel] can view Hamas as a terrorist organization along with the west. The west owes you a lot. But Turkiye does not owe you anything,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on 25 October, adding that “Hamas is not a terrorist organization; it is a group of mujahideen defending their lands.”