By Janet Ekstract ISTANBUL- In a press conference on his presidential plane returning from the Organization of Turkic States Summit, Turkish President Erdogan told reporters that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu “is no longer someone we can talk to, we have crossed him out.” Erdogan said he is determined to do everything he can to bring charges of human rights violations by Israel and its war crimes to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Turkish leader cited the fact that Netanyahu has lost a majority of support with Israelis. Erdogan added that Netanyahu spouts ‘religious rhetoric’ to justify his massacres in Gaza. As the Turkish president further stated: “I said something in my speech at the Palestine Rally. I announced that we would support initiatives that would bring Israel’s human rights violations and war crimes to the International Criminal Court. Our relevant authorities, especially our Foreign Ministry, will carry out this work.”
Meanwhile, Erdogan has reiterated that Turkiye “is ready to act as a guarantor country for Gaza,” and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has been working behind the scenes in a flurry of diplomatic meetings with various Middle East leaders to decide what can be done to bring about a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Though U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Israel for the second time on Thursday to persuade Netanyahu to agree to at least a humanitarian ceasefire to get aid to Palestinians caught in the crossfire of Netanyahu’s ultimate aim to destroy Hamas – the Israeli PM refused to agree. Blinken made it clear to Netanyahu that the international rules of war must be followed but Netanyahu has only become emboldened in his mission after the U.S. voted to provide $14 billion in aid to Israel.
Public opinion worldwide is running against the Biden administration and Israel as well as the international community, who many accuse of remaining silent in the face of what has been termed a “genocide” by a plethora of observers and protesters in a number of countries. Protests have stepped up in the U.S. and abroad with many Jewish youth and progressive Jewish organizations protesting Israel and its relentless bombardment against the Palestinians. Reporters Without Borders filed charges against Israel with the ICC because of the Israeli Defense Force’s targeting of journalists. At least 65 U.N. aid workers lost their lives in the bombing campaign and at least 39 journalists are reported dead as well. The most recent attack on a journalist occurred when his home was targeted where his entire family was – no survivors were found. As Israel steps up its attacks on Gaza, world opinion is becoming increasingly incensed with Israel’s brutality and no-holds-barred attitude. Analysts have pointed out that Netanyahu’s days are numbered as the prime minister of Israel and that he’s lost the confidence of most Israelis.
