Erdoğan Vows Justice for Gaza Genocide

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reaffirmed his pledge to ensure accountability for what he described as Israel’s genocide in Gaza, saying those responsible for the killings of Palestinians will one day face justice.

Erdoğan made the remarks on Sunday while addressing a conference of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in Sakarya, northwestern Türkiye.

During his speech, he recalled the killing of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab in 2024, saying children, women, and innocent civilians had been killed indiscriminately in Gaza. He also said hospitals, schools, and shelters had not been spared from Israeli attacks.

Türkiye, he said, will not back down from its position on ensuring accountability for those responsible.

“We are committed to standing with the oppressed. We have a responsibility toward them. Those responsible for the genocide in Gaza must be held accountable,” Erdoğan said.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Cabinet on Sunday approved a proposal recognizing the mass killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire during World War I as genocide. The measure still requires approval from the Israeli parliament before it can take effect.

Israeli Foreign Minister and far-right politician Gideon Sa’ar said the Armenian genocide had long been denied or minimized.

Türkiye has consistently rejected the characterization, arguing that both Armenians and Turks died during the conflict and wartime conditions, and that describing the events as genocide is historically inaccurate.

Since the start of the Gaza war, Erdoğan has repeatedly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, condemning civilian casualties caused by Israeli military operations and calling for international accountability.

Source: Daily Sabah (Adapted)