Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claims that Israel will “set its sights” on Turkey if it succeeds in defeating the Hamas terror group in the Gaza Strip.
Erdogan has cut trade ties with Israel, maintained close ties with Hamas, and repeatedly lambasted Israel and its “Nazi” leaders since the war was sparked by the terror group’s massacre on October 7.
He has voiced support for Hamas, which is classed as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States and the European Union, among others.
“Do not think that Israel will stop in Gaza,” Erdogan tells his party lawmakers in the parliament in the capital Ankara.
“Unless it’s stopped… this rogue and terrorist state will set its sights on Anatolia sooner or later,” he claims, referring to the large Turkish peninsula also called Asia Minor that comprises more than half of Turkey’s territory.
“We will continue to stand by Hamas, which fights for the independence of its own land and which defends Anatolia,” adds Erdogan.
Israel has never claimed any part of Turkey belongs to it, and it is unclear what Erdogan is basing his claims on.
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From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
