Skip to main content
Analysis

Erdogan blasts Israel in call with Biden as Haniyeh’s death stirs fury in Turkey

Across the ideological divide, Turks are airing fury at the Hamas leader's assassination.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators wave Palestinian flags as they take part in a rally to protest the death of the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, following evening prayers in Fatih district of Istanbul on July 31, 2024.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators wave Palestinian flags as they take part in a rally to protest the death of the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, following evening prayers in Fatih district of Istanbul on July 31, 2024. — KEMAL ASLAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, aired anger over Israel's suspected killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh during a telephone call on Thursday with US President Joe Biden, saying the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu displayed "its aversion to peace and a cease-fire with every step," according to a readout from the Turkish Presidency's Communication Directorate.

Erdogan noted that images of Netanyahu addressing the US Congress had created "deep disappointment in Turkey and in the world." Haniyeh's assassination had dealt a "heavy blow" to efforts to reach a cease-fire in Gaza, and Israel was trying to "spread the fire in Gaza to the entire region," Erdogan told Biden.

The phone call came soon after several Americans being held by Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and several Russian opposition figures, were freed in a prisoner swap brokered by Turkey's national intelligence agency, the MIT. Biden thanked Erdogan for his efforts in securing the swap in a smooth manner, the readout said. The White House had not published a readout of the conversation at the time this article was published.

Erdogan declared a day of national mourning on Friday to mark Haniyeh's passing. "In order to display our support for the Palestinian Cause and our solidarity with the Palestinian people, we have declared a day of national mourning over the martyrdom of Hamas Political Bureau Chief, Ismail Haniyeh," Erdogan wrote on X.

Subscribe for unlimited access

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more

$14 monthly or $100 annually ($8.33/month)
OR

Continue reading this article for free

Access 1 free article per month when you sign up. Learn more.

By signing up, you agree to Al-Monitor’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Already have an account? Log in

Related Topics