Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has accused U.S. President Joe Biden and his administration of complicity in what he describes as Israeli war crimes and violations of international law in the Gaza conflict, as reported by Reuters.
Speaking to Newsweek during the NATO summit in Washington, Erdogan condemned Israel’s actions, labeling its attacks on civilians, hospitals, and aid centers as brutal and constituting war crimes.
Erdogan criticized the U.S. for ignoring these violations and continuing to support Israel, which he believes implicates them in these actions.
“Who will impose sanctions against Israel for these violations of international law?” Erdogan posed, highlighting the lack of international response.
Israel has consistently denied accusations of committing war crimes during its military operations against Hamas in Gaza, asserting that it does not deliberately target civilians, according to the report.
Gaza medical authorities report over 38,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began on October 7, the majority being civilians. The war was triggered by a cross-border raid by Hamas that resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 Israelis.
As a NATO member, Turkey has strongly condemned Israel’s assault on Gaza, ceased trade with Israel, and expressed support for Hamas. It has also criticized Western countries for their support of Israel and advocated for international sanctions against Israel through legal avenues, Reuters noted.
Regarding Turkey’s relations with Russia and China and recent engagements with the BRICS group and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s diplomatic strategy based on mutual benefits.
Erdogan affirmed Turkey’s commitment as a NATO ally while asserting its capability to maintain positive relations with non-Western nations like China and Russia.
“We are dedicated to NATO, yet we believe this does not hinder our ability to foster constructive relationships with countries such as China and Russia,” Erdogan clarified to Newsweek.
Turkey’s stance reflects its diplomatic approach to maximizing advantages across different global partnerships, notwithstanding its NATO alliance.
Erdogan’s statements underscore Turkey’s proactive stance on international issues, advocating for justice in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict while navigating its diverse diplomatic engagements.
Meanwhile, Erdogan’s assertions highlight Turkey’s firm stance against perceived injustices in Gaza while also showcasing its diplomatic flexibility in engaging with both Western and non-Western nations to advance its interests on the global stage.
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