“A great human tragedy has been going on in Gaza since last week. We as Turkey could not possibly have adopted a 'wait and see' policy,” he said. He noted that the tragedy had been developing for months because of the embargo imposed on Gaza by Israel. “This is not a process that started on Dec. 27,” he said.
“There should have been a process toward ending the embargo and a cease-fire based on the June 2008 agreement. While Hamas had stuck to the cease-fire, unfortunately Israel has still not lifted the embargo,” he continued.
He said the assault, which started with massive air strikes, continued with a ground operation, further deepening the human tragedy and killing nearly 600 Palestinians. “The Gazans, who couldn't even meet their most fundamental needs, are now faced with the death and struggle.”
Erdoğan stressed that Turkey has consistently provided the Palestinians with humanitarian aid. “Unfortunately, this aid couldn't get to Gaza immediately. Our aid would be kept for five, or sometimes even 10 days, and we would have to make contacts and engage in talks at all times [to get materials through].”
Emphasizing that Turkey vehemently condemns these attacks that target innocent civilians and that the country has announced this rightful reaction to the entire world, he said, “We have not only reacted, but have also started a diplomatic initiative to bring this tragedy to an end as soon as possible.”
Providing details about recent visits he has made to Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia since the start of the Israeli attacks, Erdoğan said: “Coming back to our country after the visits, this time we started intense telephone diplomacy aimed at the West. First I had a talk with the Czech Republic EU term president. Then I spoke with [Spanish Prime Minister] José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. I also spoke with [French President Nicholas] Sarkozy, because he is the January term president of the UN Security Council.” He added that he had also had telephone conversations with the Italian, Russian and British prime ministers. He said he made a number of points during his talks, including the need for Israel to immediately stop its attacks on Gaza, the establishment of a permanent cease-fire between the two sides, opening border gates, ending embargoes and establishing national reconciliation between Palestinian groups. He said Turkey's main goal in these talks was to establish a common language and approach among different viewpoints and put into motion regional conscience and common sense, as well to establish dialogue between the two sides. “I note with pleasure that as a result of the meetings we have had with these goals in mind, I have observed that the countries of the region are developing an increasing sensitivity about the issue,” Erdoğan said.
He accused his political rivals of abusing the situation in Gaza. “There are those who say, 'The government should have done this or that.' Dear friend, we have to be honest and sincere. It is not right to make speeches and allegations in the hope of getting votes. We have seen this in the past; we know these things well,” he said, accusing those who were complaining about Turkey's Gaza policy now of not having done anything about the region when they were in power. “Why didn't you cut off our relations [with Israel]? You could have done that then.”
He accused Israeli politicians of staging the attacks with a view to approaching elections in Israel in February. “I call on Olmert and Livni. History will judge you with what you have done as having painted a black stain on the history of humanity. Understand this,” he stressed.
He said was appealing to Israelis as the grandchildren of the Ottoman Empire, which hosted the Jews who ran from Spain following the Reconquista. “We are not talking as an ordinary country. We have always been on the side of the oppressed and we always will be,” he emphasized.
Erdoğan said it was unforgivable that Israel, whose people have lived through profound anguish and pain in the past and should therefore respect human life more than everyone else, was now engaging in such violence.
