Breaking News: Özgür Özel criticizes Erdoğan's 'Gaza' silence: 'How can he remain silent on this?'

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel made statements to journalists in Hatay.

On Özel's agenda were the statements by US President Donald Trump regarding taking over Gaza and establishing a new reconstruction plan there that excludes Palestinians.

Criticizing AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for remaining silent, Özel "These words are about tearing Palestine out of the holy lands. How can Erdoğan remain silent on this?" he asked.

"ERDOĞAN COULD NOT EVEN NOD TO THE GERMAN PRESIDENT"

Citing the example of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier calling Trump's demand a 'crime against humanity' during his visit to Turkey, Özel said, "Erdoğan does not even nod to Steinmeier" he said.

Özel asked, "How is it that Mr. Erdoğan displays such helplessness that he cannot even show the reaction that the German President has shown?" he further questioned.

"THEY HAVE GIVEN A ROLE TO THE CO-CHAIR OF THE GMEP"

Stating that Erdoğan contradicts his previous rhetoric, Özel said, "Erdoğan, who profited immensely when it was profitable to fight with Israel, now sees that Israel and America have reached an agreement to reorganize Syria. It seems they have given a role there to the co-chair of the Greater Middle East Project—the former co-chair, but apparently, it didn't stay in the past—to the co-chair."

"ERDOĞAN HAS LOST HIS LEGITIMACY"

Claiming that Erdoğan's silence on the Palestinian issue is illegitimate, Özel stated, "Did those who voted for him vote for him to leave Palestine so alone? Every day he remains silent on this issue, he is illegitimate."

Emphasizing the need to go to the polls, Özel said, "If you turn your face to Israel and your back to Palestine, you lose your legitimacy. Here is another reason to set up the ballot box as soon as possible and ask the nation, 'What do you say now?'"

WHAT DID TRUMP SAY?

During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he hosted at the White House, Donald Trump stated that the US would take over the Gaza Strip and would be responsible for removing unexploded bombs and other weapons, as well as clearing away the destroyed buildings.

Noting that Gaza is now a massive area of destruction that has been completely leveled, Trump argued that it would be much better for the Palestinians in Gaza to move to new settlements to be built in neighboring countries, primarily Egypt and Jordan.

Referring to the real estate value of Gaza due to its coastline, Trump used the expression, "The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job there. We will own it and be responsible for removing all dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the ground, and getting rid of the destroyed buildings."