Ali Babacan's statement on 'Ege Akersoy': I hope you regain your freedom soon; you, Ismail, whom you punched, and I will sit down and have a tea

DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan, one of the components of the Nation Alliance, made statements at a meeting in Gaziantep.

Babacan spoke about Ege Akersoy, who was arrested after punching Ismail Aydemir, who had unfurled a 'Tawhid Flag' following the 'Mercy for our Martyrs, Support for Palestine, Curse on Israel' march.

"YOU, ISMAIL, WHOM YOU PUNCHED, AND I WILL SIT DOWN AND HAVE A TEA"

Babacan said, "My brother Ege, we have no intention of surrendering you or our other young friends to discriminatory ideologies. I hope you regain your freedom soon. Once you do, you, Ismail, whom you punched, and I will sit down and have a tea."

Ali Babacan's statements are as follows:

“There is a reality that is becoming more apparent day by day. Our country is being held hostage once again by polarizing, divisive politics. I am not just talking about the government; the opposition is doing it too… Those who govern the country divide it into ‘us and them.’ They engage in great discrimination by asking, ‘Are you one of us or not?’ We see that some opposition parties are also emulating this; they are starting to engage in the same discrimination. They are straining society. This language of malice, anger, and hatred is currently causing great damage to our social fabric in Turkey.

"THEY EVEN WITHHELD A GET-WELL WISH FOR OUR CITIZEN WHO WAS PUNCHED"

We experienced this. We all saw Mr. Ismail, who was subjected to a physical assault while returning from the Gaza rally. I am setting aside the young brother who carried out the attack. Young people make mistakes. It is our duty to show them the right path without defending their mistakes. Our struggle is not with the youth. Our struggle is with the mentality that fills young people with anger and turns them against their own people… What did our citizen who was punched, Mr. Ismail, say? He said, ‘Our young brother made a mistake.’ He said, ‘I have children too,’ and ‘If he comes, I will forgive him.’ Even the brother who threw the punch did not defend his actions. He said, ‘I am sorry.’ What did some politicians do? They even withheld a get-well wish for our citizen who was punched. I think I am the only one who said ‘Get well soon,’ I don’t know if there is anyone else among the prominent politicians. Those who did speak out defended the punch and the violence. Those who keep talking about freedom of expression suspended freedom of expression. After all, the election is coming…”

"WE WILL NOT SURRENDER ANY OF OUR YOUTH TO THIS DISCRIMINATORY POLITICS"

We will confront them with their double-standard politics. I wish Mr. Ismail a speedy recovery once again. I am also addressing the young brother who carried out the attack: My brother Ege, we have no intention of surrendering you or our other young friends to discriminatory ideologies. I hope you regain your freedom soon, and then Mr. Ismail, whom you punched, you, and I will all sit down together and have a tea; I hope we will show the unity and togetherness that is already in the fabric of this society to the whole country. We will sit down and talk about the future of our country. And look, I promise here to my brother Ege: We will not surrender you or any of our youth to this discriminatory politics.”