President Erdogan: I will Fight for Palestine Even if Left Alone

President Erdogan with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. (Source: Presidency of The Republic of Turkey)

JAKARTA - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his support for the Palestinian cause, ensuring that it would not change even if he was left alone.

President Erdogan said this at a parliamentary meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in Ankara on Wednesday.

President Erdogan emphasized that no one can question Turkey's sensitivity towards Palestine, saying the Palestinian struggle gave new meaning to his life.

"I will fight for the Palestinian cause and be the voice of the oppressed Palestinian people even if I am left alone," he stressed, quoted from Daily Sabah, April 18.

President Erdogan's government maintains ties with Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. In contrast to several European countries and the United States which are its allies, Türkiye does not classify Hamas as a terrorist organization.

"Only we dare to call Hamas a liberation movement," said President Erdogan.

"Even though there are people who try to pander to Israel by classifying Hamas as terrorists, Turkey will continue to defend the struggle for Palestinian independence at every opportunity," he stressed.

On that occasion, President Erdogan again condemned the West's "unconditional support for Israel", which he said helped Israel "carry out a shameful massacre in human history, both in Gaza and the West Bank."

President Erdogan added that he would host Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Saturday this week in Istanbul to discuss a number of issues.