Erdoğan criticizes Israel, outlines his party's vision ahead of local elections

ISTANBUL

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, speaking at Justice and Development Party's (AKP) meetings at the Haliç Congress Center, emphasized the party’s commitment to strengthening its leadership for the upcoming local elections and reinforced Türkiye's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In his address, Erdoğan reflected on lessons learned from the March 31 local elections, noting that the party has sought feedback from citizens. “We evaluated the results together with our nation, trying to identify our shortcomings,” he said.

Erdoğan stressed that the public trusts the AKP to secure Türkiye’s future despite ongoing economic challenges. “Our citizens never believe that the opposition will do them any good,” he added, affirming his commitment to appoint leaders who share the nation’s values.

Turning to international matters, Erdoğan condemned recent Israeli attacks on Gaza, describing them as “genocide” and accusing Israel of “trampling on the law of war and human values.” He emphasized Türkiye’s solidarity with the Palestinian people and announced economic measures against Israel, positioning Türkiye as one of the few countries openly taking action.

“No matter what they did, they could not break the resistance of the people of Gaza,” he said, accusing Western nations of remaining silent due to historical guilt over the Holocaust.

Erdoğan warned that Israel’s expansionist policies could lead to further instability and urged global leaders to intervene. “Before more blood is spilled, stop these oppressors whose leash you hold in your hands,” he declared, adding that Türkiye would continue to stand against oppression on the world stage, including at the United Nations.

Erdoğan concluded with a message of resolve, asserting that Türkiye’s role as a regional stabilizer remains strong. He warned that without unified action, the ongoing conflict would intensify, impacting those who support it from a distance.