Erdogan says world should stop ‘Israel’s desire for genocide’
Turkish leader: Israel is upset with Turkey because “we are trying to stop this genocide.”
By ARIEL BEN SOLOMONTurkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (photo credit: Reuters)
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan continued his harsh criticism against Israel, blaming it for the failed cease-fire on Friday and calling on the international community to “stop Israel’s desire for genocide.”“Israel did not obey the truce declared yesterday [Friday], their lust for blood will not end. But they will drown in the blood they lust for,” Erdogan said on Saturday at a presidential campaign rally, Turkey’s Hurriyet Daily News reported.“When our police responded to vandals who attacked shops in Istanbul’s Taksim [Square], the Western media talked about it for days. The United States, Europe, you were [all] talking.Where are you now?” he said, referring to international condemnation against a crackdown by Turkish security forces on massive protests that erupted in Gezi Park located next to the square in May 2013.Erdogan went on to charge that Israel is upset with Turkey, because “we are trying to stop this genocide.”“Those days are long gone,” when Turkey would remain silent, he added, referring to warmer relations between the two countries before the Islamist AKP (Justice and Development Party) came to power by winning elections in 2002.Speaking about Israel’s apprehension over the weekend about the possible abduction of Sec.-Lt. Hadar Goldin, whom the IDF announced dead on Sunday, Erdogan played it down drawing attention to numerous Palestinians deaths.“Who will pay the price for 1,500 martyrs?” he said.Hamas broke the cease-fire with Israel on Friday when terrorists launched a surprise attack on Goldin and two other soldiers who were also killed.
