Harsh reaction from Doğru Party leader Serdaroğlu to Interior Minister Çiftçi: 'Otherwise, go join the Apo dance!'
Doğru Party Chairman Rifat Serdaroğlu lashed out at Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi over footage circulating on social media showing people dancing while chanting slogans in favor of the terrorist organization leader. Serdaroğlu accused Minister Çiftçi of remaining silent in the face of terror sympathizers.
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A video circulating on social media, in which a group is seen dancing while saying "We have a promise to Apo," has sparked a new debate in politics. Sharing the footage on his own account, Doğru Party Chairman Rifat Serdaroğlu rebelled against the tolerance he claims is being shown to sympathizers of the PKK terrorist organization.
Directing his criticism at Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi, Serdaroğlu also referenced the Minister's past controversial remarks, stating:
"Governor of Jerusalem, Minister from İskilip! Do you have nothing to say about these images? If not, then go and join the Apo dance..."
The Background of the "Governor of Jerusalem" Reference
The "Governor of Jerusalem" description in Serdaroğlu's statement refers to a speech Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi gave in the past in Çorum, which was debated on social media for a long time.
In that speech, Minister Çiftçi had shared his greatest prayer from his time as governor with the public as follows:
"I had a prayer when I was a governor. After serving as governor here for 5 years, I was appointed to Erzurum. I served there for 2.5 years as well. My prayer was, 'My Lord, grant me the Governorship of Jerusalem, even if for 1 day.' I still believe that the Almighty will surely show us those days. I believed in it with all my heart, and I continue to believe. Just as in the past, those places will be ours again. They will come under our rule and authority again, God willing. Because we have a global leader like Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at our head. We have a world leader."
While Serdaroğlu's harsh outburst has reignited debates over security policies and measures taken against terrorist propaganda, it remains a matter of curiosity how the Ministry of Interior will respond to the criticisms.