Turkish president condemns 'humanitarian tragedy' in Gaza
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan describes killing of at least 58 Palestinians during protests in Gaza as a "genocide" and labels Israel as a "terrorist state."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech during his meeting with scholarship students in London, United Kingdom on May 14, 2018.
The Turkish president on Monday condemned the “humanitarian tragedy” in Gaza describing Israeli violence against Palestinian protestors as a “genocide.”
At least 55 Palestinian demonstrators have been killed and hundreds others wounded on Monday by Israeli violence in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
“Israel is a terrorist state,” said Erdogan, speaking to scholarship students in London. “We will continue to stand with Palestinian people with determination.”
“We will not allow today to be the day Muslim world loses Jerusalem,” he said, condemning the “humanitarian tragedy, this genocide”, no matter where it comes from, “either Israel or the United States”.
Turkey declares three-day mourning
The Turkish president added that a “big rally” would be held in Istanbul on Friday over the violence in Gaza.
President Erdogan also said that the Turkish Red Crescent would deliver humanitarian aid to hospitals in Gaza.
Erdogan also held a telephonic talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Monday. The two leaders exchanged views on Israeli violence in Gaza.
Erdogan condemns relocation of US Embassy to Jerusalem and Israeli attacks on Palestinians in the phone call, according to Anadolu Agency.
Earlier on Monday, Turkey recalled ambassadors in Tel Aviv and Washington for consultations, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said.
Bozdag also said that Turkish government declared three days of mourning in solidarity with Palestinians.
US President Donald Trump sparked international outcry last December when he unilaterally recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital and vowed to relocate Washington's embassy to the city.
The embassy relocation coincides with the 70th anniversary of Israel’s establishment in 1948 - an event Palestinians refer to as the “Nakba” or the “The Catastrophe.”
Thousands of Palestinians have gathered on the Gaza's eastern border since Monday morning to take part in protests aimed to commemorate the "Nakba" anniversary and protest relocating the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
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