Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sharply criticized the United States Congress for applauding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech, describing it as "full of delirium" and condemning the gesture as an endorsement of genocide.

Addressing the High Technology Incentive Programme Promotion Meeting in Istanbul on Friday, Erdogan expressed outrage at the U.S. Congress's reaction to Netanyahu's address. "The whole world watched and saw how a genocidal murderer was applauded in the American Congress," Erdogan declared. He pointed to Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Gaza, which has now been ongoing for 294 days. “Think about those who killed nearly 40,000 children, women, and the elderly; the House of Representatives applauds them,” he added.

The Turkish President highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict, noting that Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 39,175 Palestinians—primarily women and children—and wounded 90,403 others. Over 10,000 individuals are estimated to be buried under the rubble following the relentless assaults that began on October 7.

Erdogan criticized Western nations for their support of Israel, accusing them of hypocrisy. "So to say, those who teach the entire world about democracy and human rights have no qualms about holding the Hitler of our time in high esteem," he said.

Erdogan also condemned the global system, labeling it as "obsolete." He argued that the system, originally designed to protect the interests of the victors of World War II, is failing to address current global injustices. "We are faced with an abdication of reason that hosts a butcher who has the blood of 150 thousand Gazans on his hands and, not content with that, applauds his speech full of delirium," Erdogan stated.

Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza, which flouts a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, has faced international condemnation. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has accused Israel of genocide and has ordered a halt to its military operations in Rafah, southern Gaza, where over a million Palestinians had sought refuge before the area was invaded on May 6. (ILKHA)