Iran Press/ Asia: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Israel is a terrorist state, while the Hamas movement is a legitimate political force in the Gaza Strip.
"Israel is engaged in state terrorism. I am saying it clearly that Israel is a terrorist state. You call Hamas a terrorist organization. However, Hamas is a political party that won elections," he said in an address to members of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party in parliament.
Erdogan added that Turkey would continue working to make sure that the world "recognizes Israel as a terrorist state."
He said Hamas was a political party that had been elected by Palestinians, while failing to mention there hasn't been an election in Gaza since 2006 when Hamas beat Fatah, a secular movement. Since then, Hamas has essentially seized control and imposed authoritarian rule over the territory.
The health ministry in Gaza says Israel's ensuing aerial bombardment and ground offensive have killed 11,320 people, also mostly civilians. 219
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