Erdogan urges international community to take concrete steps against Israel’s “cruelty and barbarism” in Gaza

Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged the international community to take concrete steps against Israel’s “cruelty and barbarism” in Palestine’s Gaza, instead of delaying progress with empty rhetoric.

“Israel did not start slaughtering Palestinians today. This has a history” that dates back to 1947, Erdogan told reporters on Thursday as he returned from his trip to Uzbekistan for an Economic Cooperation Organization summit.

The Turkish president also lauded UN chief Antonio Guterres regarding his stance on Israel’s atrocities. “He too saw and sees the truth. As the Secretary General of the United Nations, he stands by the right and the just,” he said.

While criticising the West, especially the United States, for siding behind Israel since the conflict escalated on October 7, Erdogan reminded that 120 countries at the UN refused to stand with Israel and the US against the 45 that abstained and the 14 that supported.

Stressing that the majority of countries took a stance against Israel’s atrocities, Erdogan said: “These brave countries send a message to the whole world. ‘O America, no matter how great you are, you are not right, Israel is not right.'”

Erdogan also criticised the West for claiming to be “striving for a better road map” while siding behind Israel, saying: “What better road map than UN resolutions? If you are sincere about the ceasefire, put pressure on Israel to implement the UN’s decisions.”

“People are dying, mothers are losing their babies, children are losing their parents. We are trying to do something to stop this bleeding wound. If the US starts to share this feeling, it will become even easier to stop Israel,” he added.