President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel of “massacres” against the Palestinians and chided the international community for its silence.
The Turkish leader was quoted as saying in the Istanbul-based Daily Sabah newspaper, “They feel they are immune to any punishment for their crimes, but the international community needs to stand up against them. It is impossible to establish peace in the region if the international law remains indifferent to massacres and cruelty.”
Erdogan also criticized a bill being considered in Israel that would limit the volume of the Muslim call to prayer.
“It is disgraceful for those who lecture us about the freedom of religion to turn a blind eye to this attempt. Turkey will not let these attempts against freedom of belief [prevail],” Erdogan said. “Why are they afraid of the call to prayer? Are they unsure of their own fate? We do not and will not treat our Jewish citizens like that.”
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to Erdogan: “Those who systematically violate human rights in their own country should not preach to the only true democracy in the region. Israel consistently protects total freedom of worship for Jews, Muslims and Christians – and will continue to do so despite the baseless slander launched against it.”
Yerushalayim Mayor Nir Barket, responding to Turkish President Erdogan, said, “It is surprising that Erdogan, who leads a state that occupied Jerusalem for 400 years, wants to preach to us about how to manage our city. Unlike during the Turkish occupation, Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty is a flourishing, open and free city that allows freedom of religion and worship for all. In recent years, record numbers of Muslims have visited the Temple Mount and held prayers, exercising their absolute freedom of religion under Israeli sovereignty.”
“The connection of the Jewish people to Jerusalem dates back more than 3000 years. Jerusalem is and will remain our eternal, united capital forever. In every corner of the city, we see Jewish roots….As we celebrate 50 years of reunited Jerusalem, I invite Erdogan to visit our city and to be amazed by the reality on the ground – a reality that has changed only for the better since the Turks ruled here.”
{Matzav — Israel Bureau}
Erdogan: “We do not and will not treat our Jewish citizens like that.” Is there a Jewish quarter in Istanbul? I doubt it, but if there were, I wonder how a loud Shabbos announcement once a week would go over.
Also, Erdogan might want to direct his remarks north instead of south. European countries have much stricter muezzin laws than Israel does.
This turkey Erdogan should be banished to Armenia. Let’s see how nice he’s treated by the Armenians. Eardogman is an Idiot.
In other news, the sun is shining brightly today. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz