Wed Sep 25 06:22:58 UTC 2024: ## Türkiye Condemns Israel’s Criticism of Erdoğan’s ICC Meeting, Accuses Israel of Genocide

**Ankara, Turkey** – Türkiye has issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s criticism of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent meeting with International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan, describing it as an attempt to “cover up the genocide” Israel is allegedly committing.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday, suggesting Israel’s accusations against Erdoğan reflect a “guilty conscience.” Erdoğan met with Khan in New York last week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

The statement reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to holding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government accountable for alleged crimes against Palestinians. Türkiye emphasized that it will continue to stand by the “innocent Palestinian people” throughout this process.

Netanyahu had criticized Khan for meeting with both Erdoğan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. In May, Khan requested arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip, urging the court in August to expedite the issuance of these warrants.

The current conflict in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 41,400 people, mostly women and children, with over 95,500 injured. The conflict has displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza, with an ongoing blockade causing acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine. In addition to the ICC’s involvement, Israel faces genocide accusations at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

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