Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accuses US President Joe Biden and his administration of being complicit in Israeli war crimes committed in Gaza. In an interview with Newsweek during the annual NATO summit in Washington, Erdogan argued that Israel’s deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure constitute war crimes, a claim that Israel vehemently denies.
Erdogan highlighted the brutal murder of innocent people in hospitals, ambulances, marketplaces, and areas where humanitarian aid is distributed as the gravest violations of human rights. However, he claims that the Biden administration disregards these violations and provides Israel with the most support, making them complicit in these actions.
As a NATO member, Türkiye has consistently condemned Israel’s assault on Gaza and criticized Western governments for their ongoing backing of Israel. Following the conflict last October, Ankara halted trade with West Jerusalem. Erdogan also reiterated his call to sanction Israel during the interview.
The death toll from Israel’s eight-month military operation in Gaza has surpassed 38,000 people, according to the Health Ministry of the enclave.
Erdogan also commented on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, stating that Western leaders are taking potentially dangerous approaches to both conflicts which could escalate into larger confrontations. He argued that some Western allies’ attitudes towards Russia have only fueled the fire, causing more harm than good for Ukraine. Erdogan believes that the solution to the Ukraine crisis should be a lasting peace achieved through dialogue.