UN is finished: Turkish President on Gaza killings

Ankara [Turkey], May 17 (ANI): Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a strong-worded statement, criticised the United Nation on Wednesday for not taking any action against Israel, whose forces have allegedly killed over 60 Palestinian protesters at the Gaza Strip earlier this week.

"The UN is finished, ended, collapsed. At this moment, I cannot reach the UN secretary general (Antonio Guterres) despite having a good friendship [with him]," President Erdogan said in Ankara, as reported by Turkey's Anadolu news agency.

He further said he will never allow Jerusalem to be destroyed by Israel.

"We will support the struggle of our brothers until the days when the Palestinian lands which have long been occupied and will have peace and security within the borders of the free Palestinian state," he added.

He said if the international community would have done enough to deal with the situation, there would have been lesser casualties.

"We will not remain silent against Israel even though the world closes its eyes to this oppression," he vowed.

Earlier in the day, Turkish President announced a mass rally to be held on Friday in Istanbul's Yenikapi Square to show solidarity with Palestinians.

He further commented on the relocation of the United States Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv and said the same has "made a mockery of" the Israeli government.

On Monday, at least 62 Palestinian demonstrators were killed and hundreds more injured in a clash with Israeli troops as the former was taking part in the Great March of Return and condemning the inauguration of the US embassy in Jerusalem. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI