A leading pro-Israel organization in the US has voiced strong opposition to the inclusion of Turkish soldiers in any future International Stabilization Force in Gaza, citing Turkey’s longstanding ties to the Hamas terrorist organization. Americans for a Safe Israel (AFSI) said that countries with a documented record of providing Hamas with safe haven, political backing, financial aid, or material support must not be granted a role in rebuilding or stabilizing Gaza.
The statement followed remarks by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Bloomberg, in which he argued that the success of a stabilization force would depend on the participation of actors with “legitimacy on the ground," asserting that countries party to the Sharm el-Sheikh Declaration, including Turkiye, are the most legitimate participants. AFSI Chairman Moshe Phillips rejected that assertion, stating that Turkey has long viewed Hamas as a “liberation movement" and does not designate it as a terrorist organization.
“These facts alone should rule out Turkey from having any role in Gaza," Phillips said.Phillips further warned that peacekeeping forces must be trusted by all sides in order to function effectively. “Given Turkey’s history of support for Hamas, Israel cannot reasonably be expected to view these soldiers as neutral actors. Nor should the United States do so," he said. (Ed note: Erdogan has labeled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the "butcher of Gaza" and the "Pharaoh of the age," He has said, "May Allah, for the sake of his name... destroy and devastate Zionist Israel." This man hates Israel, he looks for every opporrtunity to oppose Israel, and can't be worked with in any capacity.) (Read More)
