Erdogan blames Israel for committing ethnic cleansing

Addressing the deputies of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) at a group meeting on Tuesday, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Israel was committing ethnic cleansing against Palestinians with air offensives against Gaza that have left more than 100 people dead. "Israel is occupying Palestinian territory step by step. The Palestinians are using their right for self-defense against the occupation and the ethnic cleansing. I am calling on the whole West from here. No one could say that Israel is using its right for self-defense. Israel is terrorizing the Middle East," Erdogan said. Erdogan also called on the West to do more. "I'm appealing to the West. Nobody can say that Israel is conducting self-defense. Israel is terrorizing the Middle East. Is murdering a 4-year-old child self-defense?” Erdogan asked. Erdogan also criticized the UN Security Council that failed to propose any solution for the escalating Gaza conflict, noting that he has completely lost his trust in the Security Council.