Turkish President Erdogan Condemns US Crackdown on Pro-Palestinian Students, Criticizes Western Democracy's Israel Bias
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan criticized the US for using force against pro-Palestinian students and academics during campus protests against Israel's actions in Gaza.
He described the treatment of these individuals as "cruelty," "violence," and "torture," and accused universities of firing and "lynching" staff who supported the Palestinians.
Demonstrations have occurred at various US colleges and universities, resulting in arrests and police crackdowns.
Erdogan also mentioned that conscientious students and academics, including anti-Zionist Jews, were among those protesting.
Turkey, a NATO ally and US military aid recipient, has criticized Israel's assault on Gaza and the unconditional support it receives from Western countries.
Erdogan, the Turkish president, accused Western democracies of prioritizing Israel's interests over their own.
The conflict began when Hamas militants killed over 1,200 people in Israel and took hostages, prompting Israel's military offensive in Gaza.
Over 34,000 Palestinians have been killed during the nearly seven-month offensive, according to Palestinian health officials.
Israel reports over 1,200 deaths and 253 hostages taken.
The US is a major supplier of military aid to Israel and has shielded the country from critical UN votes.