Fahrettin Altun, Head of Communications for the Turkish Presidency, issued a fiery rebuke on social media today, condemning Israeli government officials for their repeated criticism of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Altun accused Israel of attempting to silence Erdoğan’s outspoken stance against what he described as “Zionist bullying” and the ongoing conflict in Palestine.

In a strongly worded statement, Altun denounced Israel’s Foreign Minister for targeting Erdoğan, calling the remarks “despicable” and dismissing Israeli efforts at propaganda—or “hasbara”—as ineffective. “They have no shame after committing unspeakable acts of terrorism and genocide against countless innocent civilians,” Altun said, referring to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. He emphasized that Turkey would not be intimidated and would continue to confront what he labeled as Israeli lies and war crimes.

Altun accused Israel of wielding antisemitism accusations as a weapon to silence critics and pressure Western media into supporting its policies, which he characterized as ethnic cleansing in Palestine. While acknowledging Israel’s partial success in shaping narratives, he asserted that the global public remains aware of the truth. “The cause of Palestine is not just a Palestinian issue—it resonates with the Islamic world and people of conscience everywhere,” he stated, pointing to decades of occupation, depopulation, and violence.

The Turkish official praised Erdoğan’s lifelong commitment to defending the oppressed, highlighting his consistent opposition to antisemitism, racism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia. “He is not someone who only believes in a just and peaceful world but fights to create it,” Altun said, framing Erdoğan’s defiance of Israel as a testament to his leadership and values. He described Israel’s criticism of Erdoğan as a “badge of honor,” vowing that the Turkish president would stand with Palestine “until Palestine is free.”

Altun issued a direct challenge to Israel: if it wants Türkiye to cease its criticism, it must end “the genocide, bloodshed, and occupation.” He warned that Israel’s current policies would neither secure its future nor foster peace in the Middle East. “Their propaganda and false narratives can only work on weak minds, not on a leader whose entire political career is built upon fighting for justice,” he added.

The statement concluded with a resolute pledge of solidarity: “Once again, we will always stand with Palestine. Palestine will be free!” The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Türkiye and Israel, as the latter faces growing international scrutiny over its genocidal aggression in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands since October 2023. (ILKHA)