Erdogan: Anti-Semitism is an Unjustifiable Crime... and Islamophobia Threatens Coexistence Among Peoples

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the rise of religious hatred in the world, emphasizing that anti-Semitism represents "an evil crime that cannot be justified under any circumstances".
These statements came during an interfaith iftar held in the capital Ankara, where he stressed the need to confront all forms of incitement and discrimination based on religion.

Religious Hatred Threatens Coexistence

Erdogan explained that hatred based on religious identity does not target a specific group only, but threatens the foundations of coexistence among peoples and cultures.
He stated in his speech: "Just as Islamophobia is a crime against humanity, anti-Semitism is also a crime, and it is an evil that cannot be considered rational or legitimate".
He affirmed that confronting these phenomena should be a principled stance that is not subject to political or situational calculations.

Warning Against the Rise of Islamophobia

The Turkish president warned of the growing phenomenon of Islamophobia in recent years, considering it a real challenge to coexistence among different communities.
He pointed out that allowing the spread of hate speech could lead to increasing waves of violence and extremism within societies.

Deletion of News Raises Questions

In a related context, the deletion by Yeni Şafak, which is close to the ruling Justice and Development Party in Turkey, of the report that covered Erdogan's statements shortly after its publication raised questions in media circles.
No official clarification has been issued regarding the reasons for withdrawing the news, despite the site being one of the prominent media platforms supporting the government.

Statements Amid Regional Tensions

Erdogan's statements come at a time when tensions are rising in the Middle East, with increasing warnings and reports about the potential expansion of regional conflict amid ongoing military escalation.