  Erdogan: I do not think that Hamas is a terrorist organization June 5, 2010 - 12:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - While continuing his harsh accusations against Israel over its deadly raid on an aid flotilla, the Turkish Prime Minister said he does not see Hamas as a terrorist organization, but as a resisting group struggling for its own land. “They [Hamas] won the election. You are always talking about democracy. You’ll never let Hamas rule. What kind of democracy is this?” Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday during a rally in Konya, a central Anatolian province, where he addressed thousands of people with very strong anti-Israel sentiments. “I do not think that Hamas is a terrorist organization. I said the same thing to the United States. I am still of the same opinion. They are Palestinians in resistance, fighting for their own land,” he stated. Criticizing the Turkish media for its critical coverage on Turkey’s pro-Hamas stance, Erdogan said, “These columnists will report my words of today as well. We know their past, their background.” Repeating his harsh words against the Israeli government over Monday’s incident, the Prime Minister recalled that one of the orders of the Ten Commandments prohibits Jews from killing. “If you do not understand it in Turkish I will say it in English: You shall not kill,” he said, repeating the same phrase in Hebrew. “They even slaughtered 19-year-old Furkan. They did not even care for the babies in the cradle,” Erdogan said, Hurriyet Daily News reported.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Mirzoyan says meeting with Bayramov was “constructive”  At the moment, Ararat Mirzoyan said, there is no basis for additional comments.OSCE vows support for Armenia “in all three directions of security” Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg.151 detained as civil disobedience campaigns continue in Yerevan Citizens have been blocking streets in the Armenian capital, demanding Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation.France welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan meeting in Almaty France has welcomed the new round of negotiations between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. |
