Erdogan labels Netanyahu 'butcher of Gaza,' demands war crimes trial
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a forceful condemnation, has called for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be tried as a "war criminal."
Labeling Netanyahu the "butcher of Gaza," Erdogan's remarks came during his opening speech at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Istanbul on Monday.
Erdogan criticized the international community's silence on the Gaza situation, accusing Israel of being both a "murderer" and a "thief." He emphasized the need for a change in the United Nations' structure, describing it as corrupt and influenced by a few countries. The Turkish President also highlighted the growing issue of Islamophobia in the West.
Addressing the longstanding conflict, Erdogan expressed Turkey's readiness to act as a guarantor in peace talks between Israel and Palestine. He reaffirmed Gaza's status as Palestinian territory and warned against expansionist ideals, alluding to Netanyahu's actions.
Criticizing the UN's response to the conflict, Erdogan pointed out the organization's failure to protect its own officials in Gaza, with over 100 UN personnel killed in Israeli attacks. He called for a reevaluation of the UN's structure to better represent the global Muslim population and to respond effectively to crises like the one in Gaza.
