President Erdoğan: Israeli slanders attempt to cover up Gaza genocide

Slanders against Türkiye are Israel's attempts to cover up its “barbarity in Gaza,” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Tuesday. Addressing the media after a Cabinet meeting, Erdoğan stated: “We pay no heed to the slanders directed at our country by the murder network that has the blood of 75,000 innocent people in Gaza, mostly children and women, on its hands.” He recalled that Türkiye’s history includes the virtue of giving refuge to those fleeing Nazi persecution, adding that “those who slander Türkiye to cover up their barbarity in Gaza know it best.”

Support for Venezuela

Erdoğan also expressed support for Venezuela, which was hit by twin earthquakes on June 24, saying Türkiye stands with the “friendly and brotherly” Venezuelan people “with all our means.” Under AFAD coordination, Türkiye dispatched two military transport aircraft carrying 75 personnel, five search-and-rescue vehicles, and six search dogs to the disaster zone. “We are both contributing to search and rescue efforts and making the necessary plans to meet priority humanitarian needs,” he said, extending condolences to the Venezuelan government and people.

Defence industry and satellite ambitions

The president underlined that developing satellite capabilities is “a necessity, not a choice” for Türkiye, noting that the country is striving to take its place in the global space race. He also highlighted that Türkiye is the world’s 11th‑largest defence exporter and that more than 50 warships are currently being built in Turkish shipyards. On June 20, Türkiye delivered a corvette to Romania, marking the first‑ever export of a warship to a NATO and EU member. Erdoğan also welcomed Poland’s support for a two‑state solution in Palestine and announced a new $15 billion trade target with Poland.