The United States has expressed anger over Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's meeting with the Hamas leadership, signaling a diplomatic isolation of Turkey.
Reacting to a meeting between Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and the leadership of the Palestinian organization Hamas last week, a US State Department spokesman said in a tweet that the United States had received two Hamas leaders from President Erdogan. There are strong objections to hosting, such contacts could isolate Turkey and affect global efforts against terrorism.
We strongly object to President Erdogan hosting two Hamas leaders. Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S and EU. This outreach isolates Turkey and undercuts global efforts to counter terrorism. https://t.co/RVEuZPFg6d
— Morgan Ortagus (@statedeptspox) August 25, 2020
A statement from the State Department stated that "President Tayyip Erdogan is in contact with Hamas and this time the first meeting took place on February 1. The United States expresses deep concern over the arrival of the Hamas leadership in Istanbul on August 22."
President @RTErdogan received Head of Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh and the delegation accompanying him at Vahdettin Mansion in Istanbul. pic.twitter.com/yS2DpmkwYD
— Turkish Presidency (@trpresidency) August 22, 2020
It should be noted that Hamas has been declared a terrorist organization in the United States and Europe and a reward of 5 million US dollars has been set for the arrest of its leader. On Saturday, President Tayyip Erdogan met with Hamas leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh, the group's leader, and later on Monday, the Turkish presidency released photos of the meeting, prompting a strong response from the US State Department.
Also read: America threatens Turkey.
It is to be noted that after the agreement reached between the UAE and Israel, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan not only strongly criticized the agreement but also hinted at suspending diplomatic relations with the UAE.
