ISTANBUL: President Tayyip Erdogan delivered an impassioned speech to a massive gathering of his supporters at one of the most significant pro-Palestinian rallies since the Israel-Hamas conflict began. This event strategically coincided with the eve of Turkey’s secular republic’s centenary, as Erdogan sought to consolidate his political base.Erdogan’s address in Istanbul was unequivocal in its condemnation of Israel’s actions during the 22-day conflict. He criticized Western leaders for their perceived inaction and failure to call for a ceasefire. Erdogan declared, “We will tell the whole world that Israel is a war criminal. We are making preparations for this. We will declare Israel a war criminal.”During the hour-long speech, Erdogan reiterated his controversial stance that Hamas is not a terrorist organization, characterizing Israel as an occupying force. This rhetoric marked a significant departure from the conventional international perspective on these matters.
