Turkish President Erdoğan Speaks to Fox News: “What is Happening in Gaza is Genocide”

While in New York for the 80th UN General Assembly, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gave an interview to Fox News, making significant remarks on international politics.

In an appearance on Bret Baier’s program, Erdoğan addressed Türkiye’s policies on Gaza and the war in Ukraine. Asked whether he considered what is happening in Gaza a genocide, Erdoğan replied: “There is no other way to describe it. This is a full-fledged genocide. Netanyahu is the perpetrator of this genocide.”

Erdoğan added: “Netanyahu has brutally massacred tens of thousands in this genocide. As Turkey, we are completely against it.” He also noted that more than 125,000 people have been wounded in Gaza and that many of them have been brought to Türkiye for treatment.

On the issue of hostages held by Hamas, Erdoğan argued it was wrong to place the entire responsibility on Hamas, stating: “How can we set aside what Netanyahu has done?” He showed photographs in his speeches illustrating the destruction in Gaza and emphasized that Israel, not Hamas, possessed overwhelming military power, using weapons “indiscriminately against women, children and the elderly.”

When asked about ending the humanitarian crisis, Erdoğan recalled former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that he could end both the Russia-Ukraine and Gaza wars, remarking: “Did they end? No.”

Erdoğan said he does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization but rather a “resistance movement.”

Turning to U.S.-Türkiye relations, Erdoğan was asked about his upcoming meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House, where the F-35 issue is expected to be raised. He recalled that Türkiye had been a partner in the F-35 program, paying $1.4 billion but never receiving the aircraft, calling this step “not befitting a strategic partnership.”

“We will discuss these issues again,” Erdoğan said, adding that both the F-35 and F-16 programs, as well as defense industry cooperation, would be on the agenda. He expressed optimism about the growth of U.S.-Türkiye trade, particularly in defense, industry, and technology.

On Russia and Ukraine, Erdoğan underlined Türkiye’s strong ties with both countries and said: “We never desired this war. It has brought heavy losses to both Russia and Ukraine, and I do not believe it will end soon.” He suggested NATO should pursue a model similar to Türkiye’s approach, engaging with both sides in pursuit of peace.

Erdoğan also highlighted the economic strain on Ukraine, noting that Europe cannot provide indefinite financial aid and that U.S. support remains uncertain. He criticized the EU for excluding Türkiye for more than 50 years despite its NATO membership, calling the policy unfair.