Turkish President Brands Israel A 'Terrorist State', 'Killer of Children'

TEHRAN (defapress)- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out at Israel after US President Donald Trump decided to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

News ID: 67388

Date: 10 December 2017 - 20:00

Erdogan described the nation as a "terrorist state" and a "killer of children" in remarks on Sunday as fresh clashes erupted in the West Bank and Gaza, World News reported.

The Muslim leader also vowed to use "all means" to reverse Trump's decision, which was announced earlier this week.

"Palestine is an innocent victim... As for Israel, it is a terrorist state, yes, terrorist!" Erdogan said in a speech in the central city of Sivas, adding that "we will not abandon Jerusalem to the mercy of a state that kills children."

“Israel is an occupying state, and their police are shooting the youth and the kids... They are striking Gaza with their F-16s. They are striking Palestine in the meantime,” Erdogan stressed.

“I am saying this loud and clear, being strong does not mean being right,” the Turkish president pointed out.

Turkish leader also blasted Israel and Trump, calling it a "state of occupation" and saying the US President had "unleashed conflict".

"Trump seeks to move forwards by saying "there we go, I did it, it's done!". I'm sorry but... being strong does not give you such a right," he said.

"The leaders of major countries have a mission to make peace," he added.

Erdogan also declared the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital “null and void”, as Ankara has been one of the most outspoken critics of Washington’s decision to label Jersualem the Israeli capital and move the US Embassy there.

“Declaring it as a capital and relocating the embassy has no validity for us,” he stressed.

“America’s decision does not comply with international law and human conscience, justice and regional facts. This statement is a big blow to the United Nations Security Council, to which the US is also a member,” Erdogan said, adding, “The United Nations cannot have any credibility when its Security Council’s permanent members do not respect it.”

Erdogan has called an extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Wednesday in Istanbul.

The President said it would draw up a roadmap for Muslim countries to follow as they opposed the US decision, adding that Turkey would oppose the plan within international law and democratic principles.

Trump announced that the US would be recognizing Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital on Wednesday and ordered that work on the relocation of the American embassy from Tel Aviv to al-Quds begin.

The move was hailed by Israel but condemned by the rest of the international community as one which undermines the peace talks.

Washington’s al-Quds move has raised a chorus of outcry across the international community. The Muslim world, the UN and even US allies in the West have criticized the bid, saying it would plunge the already tumultuous region into new upheaval.

Heavy clashes also broke out between Israeli troops and Palestinian protesters after Washington's decision in Jerusalem al-Qud's Old City, Hebron (al-Khalil), Bethlehem and Nablus in the West Bank as well as the besieged Gaza Strip.

The health ministry announced that the total number of Palestinians injured by Israeli army's fire during protests against the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is 1,250 in total.

Also, the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS) said Sunday that Israeli army forces and police detained a total of 150 Palestinians since US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.