Tatar Condemns Israeli FM's Remarks

In a statement issued on Thursday, Tatar said the remarks reflect an “ideology bent on distorting historical facts.” He added, “It is futile for an administration that kills civilians, women, and children in Gaza daily and systematically violates international law to attempt to cover up its crimes by targeting President Erdoğan with distorted rhetoric.”

Praising Erdoğan, Tatar described him as “a leader who stands resolutely against oppression and dares to speak the truth at the highest level despite global silence.” He noted that the ongoing “systematic destruction” in Gaza is now widely regarded as genocide, yet powerful actors remain indifferent. “President Erdoğan broke that silence and continued to defend justice and the law. That is why genocidal Israeli authorities persistently target him.”

Tatar linked the same mentality to the Greek Cypriot leadership, which he accused of continuing to deny the Turkish Cypriot people's sovereignty and equality. “These forces seek to silence truth-tellers and conceal their ongoing human rights violations by maintaining inhumane isolation policies,” he said.

Recalling the history of the Cyprus conflict, Tatar emphasized that Turkish Cypriots were violently excluded from the Republic of Cyprus in 1963 and faced systematic attacks until 1974. “The July 15, 1974 fascist coup aimed to annex the island to Greece and placed our people under existential threat,” he said. “Turkey, acting on its rights under international treaties, intervened through the Guarantee Agreement to halt the impending genocide.”

Tatar described the 1974 Turkish military intervention as a lifesaving operation that ensured the survival of the Turkish Cypriot people and led to the establishment of today’s political boundaries and the founding of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

He asserted that any statement ignoring these historical and legal facts constitutes “an assault on our people, our state, and our struggle.” Reaffirming unwavering support for Erdoğan and Turkish Cypriot sovereignty, Tatar said, “We strongly condemn this disgraceful statement targeting President Erdoğan and the Turkish Cypriot people. We reject its language and mindset entirely.”

He concluded, “The Turkish Cypriot people will continue to steadfastly defend their state, their sovereignty, and their unbreakable bonds with the Republic of Turkey.”