This is real genocide, says Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has referred to the situation in Gaza as genocide. "There is no other explanation for this. This is real genocide. The perpetrator of this genocide is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu," he stated.

Erdogan clarified Turkey's stance, particularly regarding the genocide in Gaza and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In response to a question from a reporter asking, "Is what is happening in Gaza genocide?" Erdogan answered, "It cannot be explained any other way. This is real genocide. The perpetrator of this genocide is Netanyahu."

“Netanyahu has ruthlessly killed tens of thousands of people during this genocide. We, Turkey, are firmly against this genocide,” Erdogan added, noting that there are also over 125,000 injured in Gaza, some of whom have been transferred to Turkey for treatment.

Erdogan pointed out that he often shows images in his speeches reflecting the situation in Gaza caused by Israeli strikes. “Can we say that Hamas is stronger than Israel in terms of weaponry? No, that is impossible. Israel indiscriminately uses that weaponry against everyone—ages 7 to 70, without distinction—against women, children, and the elderly,” he remarked.

In response to a question about halting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Erdogan stated, “Remember, Mr. Trump said, ‘I will stop the war between Russia and Ukraine.’ Did it stop? No, it continues. Similarly, he said, ‘I will stop the war in Gaza.’ Did it stop? No.”

Erdogan also noted that he does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization but rather a “resistance organization.”