In a speech delivered this Saturday, March 9, Turkish head of state Recep Tayyip Erdogan assures that he “stands firmly” behind Hamas. Tayyip Erdogan is trying to appease those who, within his own camp, still consider him too conciliatory with the Jewish state.
The Turkish president is criticized for a position considered too weak, in actions more than in words, with regard to Israel. He believes that an economic and diplomatic boycott of Israel would harm Turkey's long-term interests.