Hamas is a resistance group, not terrorist organisation: Turkish president

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that he does not view Hamas as a terrorist organisation, but rather as a resistance group defending its land.

In an interview with NBC News, Erdogan pointed to the historical loss of Palestinian territories since 1947 and reiterated his stance, saying, “I have never called Hamas a terrorist organisation.”

When asked about Türkiye’s support for Hamas despite international criticism, Erdogan clarified that while he opposes terrorism, he sees Hamas as a legitimate resistance movement. He questioned how such a group, which he believes is defending its homeland, could be labelled as terrorists.

Regarding the October 7 attacks by Hamas against Israel, Erdogan suggested that the reasons behind the event should be thoroughly examined, emphasising the broader context of Palestinian casualties over the years.

Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, calling for the creation of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.