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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned Israel's attack on the Global Sumud Fleet humanitarian convoy on Thursday, stating that the assault on civilians in international waters "once again proves the madness of the genocide squad trying to hide their crimes against humanity in Gaza."
Speaking at the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) Extended Provincial Chairs Meeting in Ankara, Erdogan delivered harsh criticism of the Israeli operation against the Gaza-bound aid flotilla.
"I condemn the banditry against the Global Sumud Fleet, which set out to draw attention to the barbarity where children are dying of hunger in Gaza and to deliver humanitarian aid to oppressed Palestinians," Erdogan said.
The Turkish president accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of being unable to tolerate even the possibility of peace.
"It has been seen that the genocidal Netanyahu government has no tolerance for the establishment of peace, let alone the emergence of such a possibility," Erdogan stated.
He added that "the Global Sumud Fleet has ensured that the savagery in Gaza and Israel's murderous face are seen once again throughout the world."
Erdogan also pledged Türkiye's full support for the flotilla activists, describing them as voices of humanity's collective conscience.
"Türkiye stands with all the hopeful travelers on the Sumud Fleet, who are the voice of humanity's common conscience," he declared.
The president assured that Turkish authorities are closely tracking developments and taking necessary measures to ensure the safety of activists and Turkish citizens aboard the vessels.
"Our relevant units are monitoring developments in the field moment by moment and taking necessary measures to ensure that no harm comes to the activists and our citizens," Erdogan said.
Erdogan specifically emphasized that the Israeli attack occurred while the flotilla was sailing in international waters, characterizing this as proof of what he called the "genocide squad's" state of mind in attempting to conceal their actions in Gaza.
"The Israeli administration's attack on civilians sailing in international waters once again proves the madness of the genocide squad trying to hide their crimes against humanity in Gaza," he said.
President Erdogan emphasized that Türkiye's priority as a state and nation remains stopping the bloodshed in Gaza and ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need without obstruction.
"Our priority as a state and nation is to stop the bloodshed in Gaza and to deliver humanitarian aid to the oppressed without hindrance," he stated.
The president lastly vowed that Türkiye would continue working with all its power to establish a ceasefire and restore peace.
"We will not leave our Palestinian brothers, who are fighting for life and dignity under very difficult conditions, without support, and we will continue to work with all our strength for the establishment of a ceasefire and the restoration of peace and tranquility," Erdogan concluded.
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