Erdoğan says Türkiye will not yield to lobbies supporting Israel
"We're aware of who supports Israel and the lobbies behind them. We haven't yielded to these lobbies until now, and we won't in the future. Except for Türkiye and a few other countries, there is hardly any actor raising voice against Israel and its Western supporters," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stressed in his speech during an iftar program in Istanbul.
- World
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 09:07 | 23 March 2024
- Modified Date: 09:52 | 23 March 2024
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Saturday that Türkiye is aware of those supporting Israel and will not yield to the lobbies backing Tel Aviv.
"We're aware of who supports Israel and the lobbies behind them. We haven't yielded to these lobbies until now, and we won't in the future," said Erdoğan during an iftar program in Istanbul.
"Except for Türkiye and a few other countries, there is hardly any actor raising voice against Israel and its Western supporters," he stressed.
Alongside the Palestinian people, all the innocent people around the world have been witness to Türkiye's efforts, he said.
Hospitals and health workers, as well as places of worship, are deliberately targeted by occupying forces in Gaza, Erdoğan pointed out.
"We do not take into account those who label our Palestinian brothers resisting oppression as terrorists," he added.
The president said Türkiye's economy has been showing resilience despite the recent earthquake burden.
Erdoğan said this year, Türkiye's "export target is $375 billion for goods and services and $60 billion for tourism."
He said that despite the $104 billion extra burden from the Kahramanmaraş earthquake alone, Türkiye's "economy sustained a strong growth rate of 4.5%."