Congressman Gus M. Bilirakis | Gus M. Bilirakis Official Website
Congressman Gus M. Bilirakis | Gus M. Bilirakis Official Website
Washington, DC - Representatives from various Congressional caucuses have come together to issue a strong condemnation of Turkish President Erdogan's recent comments regarding Hamas. The Co-Chairs and Vice Co-Chairs of the Hellenic Caucus, Armenian Caucus, Israel Allies Caucus, and Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance Caucus expressed their concern over Erdogan's refusal to label Hamas as a terrorist organization.
In their joint statement, the representatives stated, "Hamas is a terrorist group committed to murdering Jews and destroying Israel and any suggestion otherwise is appalling." They criticized Erdogan for describing Hamas as a "liberation group" and "mujahideen" fighting to protect their lands and people. They emphasized that such statements undermine the peace and security of Turkey's democratic neighbors.
The representatives also called on the international community to hold Turkey accountable for these antisemitic remarks and its longstanding belligerence towards various communities in the region. They highlighted Turkey's actions towards Armenians, Hellenes, Kurds, and others as unacceptable and called for Turkey to be held to a higher standard as a NATO ally of the United States.
The strong condemnation of Erdogan's comments reflects the concerns of multiple Congressional caucuses, representing different communities and interests. It conveys a united front against any attempts to downplay the threat posed by Hamas and emphasizes the need for Turkey to be held accountable for its actions.
This joint statement is a clear message to President Erdogan and the international community that there is no room for ambiguity when it comes to condemning terrorist organizations like Hamas. It underscores the importance of upholding peace, security, and democratic values in the region.
As the international community grapples with the ongoing challenges in the Middle East, it is imperative to address the issue of terrorism head-on. The representatives' statement serves as a reminder that the fight against terrorism requires a united front, with no tolerance for those who seek to undermine stability and promote violence.
The joint condemnation of President Erdogan's comments on Hamas sends a powerful message that the international community stands together in the face of terrorism and will not tolerate any attempts to legitimize or downplay its destructive actions. It is a call to action for countries around the world to hold Turkey accountable for its actions and to ensure that peace and security are maintained in the region.
To find out more, go to this link: https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/joint-caucus-condemnation-president-erdogans-comments-hamas