Joint Caucus Condemnation of President Erdogan's Comments on Hamas

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today the bipartisan co-chairs and members of the Hellenic Caucus, Armenian Caucus, Israel Allies Caucus, and Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance Caucus released the following statement condemning Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's comments on Hamas:

"Today, as bipartisan co-chairs and members of four Congressional caucuses – the Hellenic Caucus, Armenian Caucus, Israel Allies Caucus, and Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance Caucus – we join together to roundly condemn Turkish President Erdogan’s refusal to call Hamas a terrorist organization and instead describing it as “a liberation group, ‘mujahideen’ waging a battle to protect its lands and people.” Hamas is a terrorist group committed to murdering Jews and destroying Israel and any suggestion otherwise is appalling.

"Erdogan’s comments on Hamas continue the deeply concerning trend of Turkey under President Erdogan’s leadership undermining the peace and security of its democratic neighbors. We call on the international community to hold Turkey accountable for these antisemitic words, as well as for its longstanding belligerence towards Armenians, Hellenes, Kurds, and other communities in the region. As the United States’ NATO ally, Turkey should be held to a higher standard and these actions are unacceptable."

Malliotakis added: "Erdogan's disturbing comments defending Hamas' atrocities and murder of innocent and Israeli citizens, coupled with aligning himself with Iran's Ebrahim Raisi and Russia's Vladimir Putin, two enablers of war crimes and terrorism, is deeply disturbing and cannot be overlooked by 30 other NATO members. The international community must condemn Erdogan's repeated aggression, rhetoric and action."

Co-Chairs and Vice Co-Chairs: Rep. Gus Bilirakis, Rep. Brad Schneider, Rep. Chris Smith, Rep. Frank Pallone, Rep. Doug Lamborn, Rep. Chris Pappas, Rep. David Valadao, Rep. Brad Sherman, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Rep. Adam Schiff, and Rep. Dina Titus