From the Liveblog of
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Erdogan says US, Europe not doing enough to pressure Israel on Gaza ceasefire
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan says that the United States and European countries are not doing enough to pressure Israel to agree a ceasefire in Gaza, after Hamas said it had no intention of budging from a proposal already rejected by Jerusalem.
Speaking to Muslim scholars in Istanbul, Erdogan says Hamas had accepted a ceasefire proposal by Qatar and Egypt in a “step in the path toward a lasting ceasefire,” and charges that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government does not want the war to end.
“The response of the Netanyahu government was to attack the innocent people in Rafah,” he says, referring to Gaza’s southernmost city, where the Israel is currently operating to root out the remaining battalions of Hamas and free over 100 hostages held by terror groups since October 7.
“It has become clear who sides with peace and dialogue, and who wants clashes continuing and more bloodshed,” he says.
“And did Netanyahu see any serious reaction for his spoiled behavior? No. Neither Europe nor America showed a reaction that would force Israel into a ceasefire.”
Turkey has denounced Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, called for an immediate ceasefire, and criticized what it calls unconditional support for Israel by the West.
Ankara has also halted all trade with Israel and said it had decided to join South Africa’s initiative to have Israel tried for genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
