Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned Israel’s interception of Gaza-bound aid vessels, calling it an “act of piracy” and a demonstration of ongoing atrocities in the region.
Addressing his AKP party, Erdogan said the move in international waters highlights that “the genocide apparatus is in a state of frenzy to conceal its crimes in Gaza.”
“The genocidal Netanyahu government cannot tolerate even the slightest chance for peace to take hold,” he added.
Erdogan said the Global Sumud Flotilla incident exposed “the brutality in Gaza and Israel’s murderous face” to the world. He vowed that Turkey would continue supporting Palestinians and work to achieve a ceasefire and restore peace in the region.
The president’s remarks follow an announcement from the Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office that it has opened an investigation into the detention of Turkish citizens aboard the flotilla, which attempted to break the blockade of Gaza.
