Far-right leader Bahçeli calls for Turkey’s intervention in Gaza

Duvar English

Turkish government’s far-right ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli on Oct. 21 called for Turkey’s intervention in Gaza against Israel’s massacres.

Making a statement on social media, Bahçeli said “If a ceasefire cannot be achieved within 24 hours, if the attacks do not stop, if bombs continue to be dropped on the oppressed, Turkey must quickly step in and do whatever is necessary due to its historical, humanitarian and religious responsibilities. It is our legacy to undertake the mission of protecting Gaza.” 

“The Republic of Turkey is ready to make Gaza the city of happy children and an Islamic town where our brothers and sisters will live in peace and security,” he added.

Bahçeli deemed Israel’s attacks “have reached the level of genocide” and said there have been “a chain of humanitarian disasters in Gaza for two weeks.”

“The international community watched the serial and continuous murders in Gaza as if watching a horror movie. There is neither a voice (against it) nor a reaction,” Bahçeli said and proposed the two-state solution following “the immediate establishment of the ceasefire.”

Opposition Islamists Felicity and Future party leaders Temel Karamollaoğlu and Ahmet Davutoğlu supported Bahçeli’s call for Turkey’s intervention. 

“I would like to thank Mr. Devlet Bahçeli for his sensitivity regarding Palestine. I support his call, which is a requirement of our history, faith and humanity,” Karamollaoğlu said.

“Just as we support every step taken and every call made to stop this crime against humanity, despite those who have been trying to hide the massacre in Gaza with perception management and provocative statements for days, I also appreciate and support the statements made by Mr. Devlet Bahçeli for Gaza and our Palestinian brothers,” former PM Ahmet Davutoğlu said.

Following his support, Bahçeli called Davutoğlu and the two leaders agreed to have a face-to-face meeting in the coming days regarding the issue, the MHP announced on Oct. 22.

Lastly, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called on Israel to cease its attacks on Gaza, which he described as constituting genocide.