Türkiye accuses Israel of using 1915 events to mask Gaza crimes
Türkiye's Foreign Ministry on Sunday accused Israel of attempting to deflect attention from its actions in Gaza by recognizing the 1915 events as genocide, noting that the move reflects mounting pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces arrest warrants from the International Court of Justice.
Türkiye's Foreign Ministry said Sunday that the Israeli government is seeking "to cover up its own crimes" through a politically motivated decision on the 1915 events, accusing Israel of carrying out systematic oppression against Palestinians while facing genocide allegations at the International Court of Justice. The ministry said the Israeli Cabinet's move disregards legal and historical facts and reflects mounting pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is subject to arrest warrants as part of an International Criminal Court investigation into crimes committed against Palestinians.
Ankara will continue working resolutely to end what it described as Israel's expansionist and destabilizing policies in the region, the ministry said, adding that the Netanyahu government must be held accountable before the law for crimes committed against civilians. The statement came after Israel's Cabinet approved a proposal on Sunday to designate the 1915 events as genocide, a decision that Turkish officials said attempts to deflect from ongoing military actions in the Gaza Strip.
Communications Director decries 'hypocrisy'
Turkish Communications Director Burhanettin Duran on Monday called Israel's decision "hypocrisy," saying a government that "kills tens of thousands of innocent civilians, including babies, women and the elderly" is using historical events as a political weapon. Duran said Israel's recognition of the 1915 events as a "genocide" is a futile attempt to cover up state terror in the Middle East and crimes against humanity, adding that those facing genocide proceedings at the International Court of Justice have no right to "lecture Türkiye on history or act as guardians of conscience."
Duran posted the remarks on X, according to Anadolu Agency. Israel is currently being tried at the International Court of Justice for genocide allegations concerning its military campaign in the Gaza Strip, where health authorities report tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed since October 2023.
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