Netanyahu’s ‘terrorism' continues to threaten peace, says Turkish president

ISTANBUL

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's “terrorism” continues to pose a threat to both regional and global peace.

"The Iranian-centered attacks launched on Feb. 28 as a result of Netanyahu’s provocations have further deepened the instability in our region," Erdogan said in a speech.

Noting there are many clashes going on around the world, including the Russia-Ukraine war north of Türkiye, Erdogan said "the Zionist genocide network" has been continuing to block aid supplies to Gaza, killing people there, demolishing buildings, and "being bandits," referring to Israel's continuing attacks in Palestine.

"(Israel) closed the Al-Aqsa Mosque, our first qibla (sacred prayer orientation), to worship, using the Iran war as a pretext. It also accelerated its illegal settlement activities and expansionist policies in the West Bank and other occupied Palestinian territories," he said.

Saying that 1,000 people have been killed in Lebanon by Israel since March 2, Erdogan noted that the number of forcibly displaced people has topped 1 million.

Türkiye is mobilizing "all its means" to restore peace and stability and to revive dialogue and diplomacy, he added.

Erdogan also expressed his solidarity with the people in lands spending the current Eid Muslim holiday in grief and pain, particularly the people of Gaza.

"I believe we will overcome this difficult period in our region very soon by supporting one another, with hope, patience, and resilience," Erdogan said.

"The Islamic world is once again trying to overcome a path filled with obstacles, pitfalls, schemes, and traps," he stressed.

On other regional clashes, Erdogan said Türkiye’s efforts helped achieve an Eid holiday pause in clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, adding that he hopes the truce lasts.

“At the very least, we welcome the fact that fingers have been taken off the triggers between the two brotherly countries, that no more blood will be shed, and that the two brotherly peoples will be able to celebrate the holiday in peace," he said.

“Our hope is that this temporary calm will become permanent.”