ANKARA
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has questioned the U.S. policy of backing Israel as the casualty toll in Gaza mounts.
"There are 280 U.N. resolutions against Israel,” he said in an interview with Turkish TV channel TGRT Haber on Sunday. “These are because of its terrorist acts. They always kill people atrociously and use disproportionate force. How can we ignore all of these? How can the U.S. ignore all of these?"
The U.S. State Department called previous anti-Israeli comments made by Erdogan “offensive and wrong” and “provocative.”
In response, he said: "500 tonnes of bombs have fallen down on the region so far. Over 300 people have been killed as a result of the bombardment. Under these circumstances, the U.S. should criticize itself if it still says 'Israel uses the right to defend itself.' They made the 'offensive' statements."
Erdogan added: "The U.S. should make much more of a contribution to world peace now. It is thought-provoking that they are on Israel's side."
At least 398 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the month, when Israel began bombarding Gaza.
www.aa.com.tr/en
