UPDATE - Protecting Jerusalem means defending humanity, peace: Turkish President Erdogan

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS FROM PRESIDENT ERDOGAN

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - As defending Jerusalem means defending humanity, peace, and respect for various faiths, Türkiye will continue this struggle with determination, the nation’s president told a group dedicated to protecting the holy city.

“Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque faces more and more harassment, with the identity of the ancient city being erased by Israel step by step,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech in Istanbul to the League of Parliamentarians for al-Quds (Jerusalem).

Erdogan expressed his gratitude to the League of Parliamentarians for al-Quds (Jerusalem) “which supports this blessed struggle for humanity and peace."

- Palestine is under Israeli occupation

The Turkish president said that the Palestinians, “whose lands are being gradually occupied, are subjected to one of the most brutal oppressions in history.”

“From here, I once again send my greetings to the Palestinian heroes who, through their struggle, uphold the honor of Jerusalem and all humanity,” he said.

He added that anyone looking for “modern pharaohs need not look far, just look at those who have mercilessly killed 35,000 Palestinians in the last 203 days,” referring to Israel’s months-long offensive on the Gaza Strip.

“Netanyahu, like villains before him, has etched his name in history with shame as the butcher of Gaza,” Erdogan added.

He further stated that today’s Hitler and Nazis are the killers who killed over 15,000 children in Gaza, adding that the “dark stain on Netanyahu’s forehead will never fade, no matter what he does.”

As Palestinians in Gaza have been resisting for 203 days despite all odds, “no one can expect us to remain silent in the face of the genocide,” he declared.

"We cannot be among those who falsely accuse Hamas of being a terrorist organization just because Israel and its Western supporters want it so,” the president said, adding: “We will continue to see our Hamas brothers, who defend their homeland against occupiers, as the National Resistance of Palestine.”

Erdogan reiterated that Türkiye will continue its efforts for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He described the US veto on Palestine’s UN membership bid as a “great disgrace” and “serious injustice.”

“The US veto once again proves the validity of our assertion that 'the world is bigger than five’,” he said, referring to the five permanent members of the UN Security Council who have veto power.

Expressing his belief that a fairer world is possible, Erdogan said: "We must increase our efforts to hold Israel and its leaders, especially butcher Netanyahu, accountable before the law,” Erdogan said, adding that Türkiye will continue to support Palestine “with all our means.”

He further said that by using the Oct.7 attack by Hamas as an excuse, no one can “justify killing newborn babies in incubators, raining bombs on civilians, killing people waiting in line for a loaf of bread, deliberately targeting mosques, churches, schools, and hospitals, turning Gaza into a massive graveyard, and not adhering to the minimum standards of international law.

Erdogan further said that Türkiye is the only country implementing export restrictions on Israel in 54 product groups.

"Until today, we have opened our doors to anyone in need, regardless of their faith, origin, or identity. We welcomed Jewish refugees fleeing the Inquisition, Jewish scientists escaping Nazi persecution,” he added.

- Humanitarian assistance

He said that Türkiye is also at the forefront of aid to Gaza, as since Oct. 7, Ankara has sent nearly 50,000 tons of humanitarian aid to the strip via 13 planes and nine ships.

“We brought 900 patients from Gaza to receive treatment in our country. We also distribute hot meals to 10,000 people daily. In addition, we ensure the transfer of 7 tons of clean drinking water to Gaza every day,” he said.

Reiterating Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts to establish a lasting cease-fire in Gaza, Erdogan said that Ankara is making efforts to reconcile the differences between the Palestinian government and Palestinian groups.

Erdogan also praised Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s stance on recognizing the Palestine state.

He also said the US’ "unconditional military and diplomatic support to Israel does not contribute to a solution but rather exacerbates the problem."

"While 35,000 people were mercilessly killed in Gaza, the approval of a $25 billion military aid package to Israel by the US Senate is the clearest indication of this," Erdogan added, referring to a new aid package passed last week for Israel.

When it comes to Israel, "values of the West including freedom, democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression, thought, and the press have been forgotten and immediately shelved," he said.

The Turkish president also hailed the parliamentary Jerusalem league as a global voice and breath of the Palestinian cause.