By Reuters
Nov. 15, 2023, at 8:32 a.m.
Germany has expressed strong solidarity with Israel, while urging a focus on limiting the impact of military operations on Gaza's civilian population.
"The West, namely the United States, is unfortunately still seeing this issue backwards," Erdogan said, adding he would call leaders of the countries who last month abstained from a vote at the United Nations General Assembly on an aid truce in Gaza.
Later on Wednesday, Erdogan spoke to Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and told her that Ankara expected Rome's support in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, the Turkish presidency said. Meloni's office said she had called for rapid de-escalation in Gaza, adding Turkey had a crucial role in preventing the spread of the conflict.
Erdogan also called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to announce whether or not Israel had nuclear weapons, adding that Netanyahu would soon be a "goner" from his post.
He also likened the conflict between Israel, a Jewish state, and the Palestinians to a war between the Christian and Muslim worlds, saying the crisis was "a matter of cross and crescent".
Ankara would also take steps to ensure Israeli settlers in occupied Palestinian territories are recognised as "terrorists", he added.
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