ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan telephoned Pope Francis and discussed ongoing Israeli-Gaza conflict. Erdogan expressed his concerns regarding Israel’s strikes in Gaza, describing them as having “reached the level of a massacre.” He criticized the international community’s silence on the matter, stating that it is a “shame for humanity.”
During their telephone conversation, Erdogan emphasized the importance of delivering continuous aid to innocent civilians in Gaza. He reiterated Turkey’s stance that a permanent solution to the conflict can only be achieved through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
The Vatican reported that Pope Francis expressed his sorrow for the ongoing situation and reaffirmed the Holy See’s position, hoping for a solution that involves two states and a special statute for the city of Jerusalem.
Erdogan has recently increased his criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, saying Hamas fighting for liberation. He also canceled his plan to visit Israel.
Erdogan also criticized the European Union for not calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and accused the West dual standard to stop Muslim bloodsheds. He questioned how many more children must die before the EU Commission takes action and how many more tons of bombs must fall on Gaza before the United Nations Security Council intervenes.
Erdogan stated that the West seems to overlook the violence in Gaza because it primarily affects Muslim populations. He also mentioned Turkey’s humanitarian efforts, highlighting the dispatch of aid and medical personnel to Gaza through Egypt.
