CHP leader slams government over foreign policy

ANKARA

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has slammed the government over foreign policy, claiming Türkiye’s mediation efforts have not been welcomed by the sides in the Middle East due to lack of trust.

“Nobody wants Türkiye’s mediation. We have become isolated [in the Middle East],” Kılıçdaroğlu said in his weekly address to his parliamentary group on Oct. 24.

The reason why the countries in the Middle East are not enthusiastic with Türkiye’s mediation is that the Turkish foreign policy is not trustworthy in the eyes of the regional and global powers, Kılıçdaroğlu claimed.

“In the past, Türkiye was the country whose mediation was sought by the Middle East countries. Nowadays, we are exerting efforts to become a mediator but nobody hears it,” he stated.

Kılıçdaroğlu referred to Türkiye’s active diplomacy by Foreign Ministry Hakan Fidan, who has been in talks with almost all relevant parties for the cessation of violence and launching a new process for lasting peace.

CHP leader also criticized the Western powers for their unconditional support to Israel, which is killing children and civilians in Gaza. “Instead of trying to stop the bloodshed, they will almost applaud to the killings of civilians — 2,000 children were killed in bombings. They even bomb the hospitals,” Kılıçdaroğlu stressed.

Accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of ravingly attacking against Palestinians, Kılıçdaroğlu said: “This is the biggest atrocity committed against civilians of the 21st Century. Nobody’s voice is heard while all these are happening.”