Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech on Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “no different” from Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.
Erdogan said that Netanyahu is no different from Hitler and likened Israel's attacks on Gaza to the Nazis' treatment of the Jewish people.
Speaking at an event in Ankara, Erdogan also repeated his criticism of Western support for Israel, adding that Turkey was ready to welcome academics and scholars facing persecution for their views on the conflict in Gaza.
“Butcher of Gaza”
Earlier in December, the Turkish president said that Netanyahu would be tried as a war criminal over the ongoing Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip, referring to the Likud leader as the “butcher of Gaza.”
In a speech he delivered during a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation committee in Istanbul, Erdogan said that Gaza is Palestinian land and will always belong to the Palestinians.
Turkish state media quoted Erdogan as saying: “Israel is not only a killer, but also a thief,” adding: “We cannot allow Israel to occupy Gaza again.”
“Those who invade Gaza will look elsewhere tomorrow,” Erdogan said. “The butcher of Gaza, Netanyahu, revealed that he has expansionist ideals.”
Netanyahu: Erdogan is committing genocide against the Kurds
Netanyahu responded to Erdogan's statement later Wednesday, saying, “Erdogan, who is carrying out genocide against the Kurds and holds a world record for imprisoning journalists who oppose him, is the last person who can preach morality.”
Netanyahu continued: “The Israeli army is the most moral army in the world.” “It is fighting and defeating the most ruthless and ferocious terrorist group in the world, which Erdogan praises and hosts.”
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