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Türkiye's main opposition leader has accused President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of conducting undisclosed negotiations with Donald Trump Jr. over Gaza during an unannounced visit to Istanbul last week.
Ozgur Ozel, chairman of the Republican People's Party, revealed the previously unreported meeting at a rally in Istanbul on Wednesday, claiming Erdogan engaged in "secret negotiations" with the US president's eldest son through lobbying companies.
"The protocol referred to him as a 'businessman', but they didn't mention his name during the visit," Ozel said at the rally, according to sources who spoke to Middle East Eye.
"While Palestine is bleeding, they are doing business with Trump's son through lobbying companies," he added. "On the Palestinian issue, Erdogan pretends to criticise Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but does not utter a word against the real patron of the matter, Trump."
A Turkish source close to Erdogan told German broadcaster DW on Wednesday that Trump Jr. had indeed met the president but characterized it as merely a "courtesy visit." The source rejected Ozel's claims, stating there was no formal discussion on Gaza or other specific topics.
Sources familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye that Trump Jr. visited Türkiye alongside several like-minded businessmen. Though he holds no official role in his father's administration, Trump Jr. is viewed as highly influential at the White House and currently serves as executive vice president of the Trump Organization.
Trump Jr. is no stranger to Türkiye, having visited in 2016 for a hunting trip and business meetings in Istanbul, where the Trump Organization maintains a joint investment with a Turkish company in the Trump Towers project.
President Erdogan has cultivated a strong relationship with Donald Trump Sr. Turkish officials told Middle East Eye that Erdogan is seeking a bilateral meeting with the US president next week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly summit.
Ankara hopes to discuss several key issues with the Trump administration, including the F-16 fighter jet deal, the integration of Syrian Kurds into the central government in Damascus, potential avenues to purchase F-35 aircraft, and recent tensions between Israel and Türkiye over Syria and Gaza.
Documents show that Trump Jr. is a frequent traveler in the region, having visited Riyadh and Doha while accompanying his father during official visits to the Gulf states.
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