When will the Obama administration stand up and defend Israel against these outrageous claims by Turkey? I think the death toll from the many air strikes is only around 100 and most of them are terrorists. How in the world is that ethnic cleansing? It’s a stupid claim on its face and it deserves a rebuke from Obama.
But I won’t hold my breath, especially considering his ‘leading from behind’ diplomacy.
AL-ARABIA – AFP reported Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday condemning Israel of “ethnic cleansing” towards Palestinians.
“Israel is committing ethnic cleansing by ignoring peace in this region and violating international law,” Erdogan said. “It is occupying the Palestinian territory step by step.”
Erdogan said Israeli air raids against Gaza could not be deemed self-defense, accusing Western countries of aiding what it called a “terrorist state” by condoning its violence in the Middle East.
“Sooner or later, Israel will answer for the innocent blood it has shed so far,” he said.
Erdogan said the United Nations “turned a blind eye” on Israeli attacks against Palestinians, accusing the international body of double standards against Muslims.
Iran echoed its voice with Erdogan on Tuesday stressing the importance to provide Palestinians with arms to defend themselves.
“Neither Iran nor Hamas seek conflict or war, or aim to endanger the lives of innocent people,” foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said in his weekly briefing.
The guilty party is “the criminal Zionist (Israeli) regime, which should be tried for war crimes,” he said.