Istanbul:Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned what he described as "colonist terrorism" in the West Bank, asserting that the actions aim to forcibly displace Palestinians from their ancestral lands. Erdogan voiced these concerns during the opening ceremony of the 10th edition of the TRT World Forum held in Istanbul.
According to Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA – English, Erdogan highlighted that over 3,000 attacks and violations against Palestinians were documented in the West Bank during October alone. He recounted a recent incident where an international delegation of lawmakers, academics, and politicians was prevented from entering the West Bank, emphasizing the international scrutiny the situation is under.
Erdogan also referenced the brutal assault on American photojournalist Heidi Levine on October 16 in the village of Abu Falah, east of Ramallah. Levine, who was covering the olive harvest, sustained severe injuries following the attack by colonists. Erdogan criticized international institutions for merely observing the situation in Gaza without taking action, underscoring Turkey's commitment to fostering a just and free world.
The Turkish President further lamented the loss of life and injuries sustained by Palestinians over the past year, with 1,500 fatalities and nearly 5,500 injuries reported. He described the dire conditions in Gaza, where inhabitants struggle for survival amidst the destruction and shortages of essential resources like fuel and medical supplies. Additionally, Erdogan condemned the killing of over 270 journalists in the Gaza conflict, accusing Israeli forces of deliberately targeting them. He criticized organizations that claim independence but show bias in their press freedom reports regarding Israel.