February 14, 2025 – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has launched a scathing attack on former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed plan for Gaza, blaming American policies for exacerbating what he called an “atrocity” in the war-torn region.

Speaking at a press conference in Ankara on Wednesday, Erdoğan accused Washington of fueling instability in the Middle East through its unyielding support for Israel and its failure to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

“The United States is complicit in the destruction of Gaza. Trump’s so-called plan is nothing more than an endorsement of war crimes,” Erdoğan said. “Instead of working toward peace, the U.S. continues to enable the massacre of innocent civilians.”

Opposition to Trump’s Proposal

Though details of Trump’s Gaza plan remain vague, sources indicate that it includes provisions to restructure governance in the enclave, potentially involving foreign oversight and new security arrangements. Erdoğan, however, dismissed the idea, stating that any externally imposed plan without Palestinian consent is “illegitimate and doomed to fail.”

“Gaza belongs to the Palestinians, not to foreign powers dictating terms from Washington,” Erdoğan asserted.

The Turkish leader also criticized the Biden administration, saying it has continued Trump’s approach by providing military aid to Israel while failing to broker a meaningful ceasefire.

Turkey’s Stance and Calls for Action

Erdoğan reiterated Turkey’s demand for an immediate ceasefire and called for stronger international action to hold Israel accountable for civilian casualties.

“We will not stay silent while Gaza burns,” he declared, urging the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to take decisive steps against what he labeled as “Israeli aggression backed by the West.”

Ankara has increasingly positioned itself as a leading voice in the Muslim world on the Gaza crisis, with Turkey ramping up diplomatic pressure on Western nations to halt arms shipments to Israel.

Washington’s Response

The U.S. State Department responded to Erdoğan’s remarks, calling them “unconstructive and misleading.” A spokesperson stated:

“The United States remains committed to a sustainable solution for Gaza, one that ensures security for both Israelis and Palestinians. President Trump’s plan is aimed at long-term peace, and inflammatory rhetoric will not help the situation.”

Despite this, Erdoğan’s comments reflect growing tensions between Turkey and the U.S. over their differing positions on the Middle East conflict.

Global Reactions

While Erdoğan’s stance has been echoed by several Arab and Muslim-majority countries, Western leaders have largely refrained from responding directly to his criticisms. European Union diplomats have emphasized the need for diplomatic engagement rather than escalating rhetoric.

As the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens, Erdoğan’s latest remarks signal that Turkey is prepared to take a more aggressive diplomatic posture against both the U.S. and Israel, potentially straining its already fragile relations with Washington.