Erdoğan responds to Hamas allegations: 'They would pay a very, very heavy price for this'

AKP President Erdoğan answered journalists' questions on the plane following his visit to Qatar. 

Erdoğan also spoke for the first time regarding the IYI Party's decision to enter the elections alone.

Erdoğan stated the following:

"THE HEALTHY WORKING CONDITIONS WE HAVE DO NOT EXIST ON THE OTHER SIDE"

"As the People's Alliance, we do not have such a problem within ourselves. Our team has held and is holding meetings with their counterparts. We have held discussions with Mr. Devlet Bahçeli on the main framework regarding this matter, and we have already taken our steps and continue to do so. Our colleagues are continuing their work. It appears that the healthy working conditions within the People's Alliance do not exist on the other side. 

As of now, we will continue this healthy progress without giving any opportunity for trouble. If we say 'Istanbul Again', if we say 'Ankara Again', we must work hard in all our cities, especially these provinces, and win the election as the People's Alliance. Because the hardships that Istanbul and Ankara are suffering are obvious. We will make a new leap forward with candidates who will not, hopefully, lead our citizens and our people into pessimism in our provinces. As the People's Alliance, we will emerge victorious from the March 31 elections in the best way possible."

ISTANBUL AND ANKARA CANDIDATES

Speaking about whom the People's Alliance will nominate in Ankara and Istanbul, Erdoğan said:

"Whatever criteria our people accept or show acceptance for, we will strive to determine our candidates based on those criteria. Moreover, as you know, I am a politician who comes from a background in municipal administration. We have dedicated 40 years to this, and we know more or less who or what my people are interested in, what they care about, and what criteria in a candidate will lead my people to show favor.

We are conducting a thorough analysis together with our colleagues who are working on these issues. Then we make our final decision. Hopefully, in the local government elections, as a politician who comes from local government, we will put these criteria on the table and take our steps accordingly. You will not see anyone on our lists who will not represent our understanding of municipalism or who could disappoint us. We have very qualified colleagues, and we will decide on the best one, appear before our nation, and ask for their support."

HEDEP "THEY ARE ASKING CHP 'WHAT WILL YOU GIVE US'"

Evaluating HEDEP's announcement that it will field candidates in all provinces, Erdoğan suggested that this decision might have been taken to bargain with the CHP:

"What they are doing may be an effort to refresh the bargains that took place in the last election and are still kept secret. Looking at the hands kissed and the greetings sent, it seems the CHP is also quite eager to renew its vows. It seems they have put the 'whatever we can get is profit' tactic into play, likely because they see this eagerness. We have seen this game before. Remember what they said in the last elections. Didn't they say with certainty that they would field a presidential candidate? Then they sat down for bargaining with the CHP behind closed doors. They were very pleased with the concrete promises they received from the CHP and announced they would not field a candidate, giving open support to the candidate of the Table of Six. In fact, during that process, open support for the Nation Alliance also came from Qandil. Now the same process is being operated. They are asking the CHP, 'What will you give us, what will we get?'"

INFLATION STATEMENT

Making statements regarding inflation, Erdoğan claimed that serious price drops have occurred in some sectors, while arguing that annual inflation will remain high until June due to the base effect, but will fall rapidly after June:

"Our ministries are acting quickly and in an organized manner against sectors identified as engaging in exorbitant price increases. There have been serious price drops in real estate and automotive. Our call for a price reduction campaign on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of our Republic was also effective. Nearly 100 thousand businesses participated in this regard. In fact, by curbing inflation and managing expectations, we have initiated a permanent disinflation process. 

There can be different prices in different channels for certain products. It is not very possible to completely control and manage this through administrative decisions. Instead, what is important for us is the slowing down of price increases that dominate the economy as a whole. The slowdown has now begun. This has turned into a trend. This will become very clear in the coming months. Due to the base effect, annual inflation will remain high until June. Also, monetary policy works with a lag. After June, annual inflation will fall very rapidly."

ISRAEL'S ASSASSINATION ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HAMAS

Erdoğan also spoke about the allegations that Israel might assassinate Hamas leaders abroad. With his response, implicitly stating that there are Hamas leaders in Turkey as well, Erdoğan said:

"If they attempt such a mistake, they should know that they would pay a very, very heavy price for this. Those who are taking these steps by besieging Gaza from the air, sea, and land thought they would get results within a week. What happened, were they able to? They were not. If they dare to take such a step against Turkey or Turks, they would be condemned to pay a price from which they could never recover. Those who attempt such a thing should not forget that the consequences could be extremely serious. There is no one in the world who does not know the progress Turkey has made in both intelligence and security. Furthermore, we are not a state established yesterday. No one should forget this."

ISRAEL STATEMENT: HOW LONG WILL THIS GO ON?

Speaking about Israel's occupation of Gaza, Erdoğan said that the main culprit of the current picture is the support given to Israel by Western countries:

"If it weren't for the support of all Western countries, especially the United States, for Israel, we would not be facing such a picture in our region right now. The unlimited support of these countries, both in cash and in kind, such as weapons, ammunition, and equipment, has brought Israel, the spoiled child of the West, to these points. How long will this go on? This situation will be even more provocative for the negative view of Israel by countries that have very, very different positions in their relations with Israel."

RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT IN GAZA

Praising Qatar's mediation role in the 6-day ceasefire and prisoner exchange, Erdoğan said that they stand on the same line. Reiterating their intention to organize a 'Peace Conference', Erdoğan expressed that they want to play an active role in the 'reconstruction' of occupied Gaza:

"Qatar's perspective on this whole process coincides with ours. In the coming period, both I, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and our relevant institutions will be in contact with Qatar. There is a Gaza that has been razed to the ground by Israel's brutal attacks. Ensuring a ceasefire and subsequently evacuating the wounded from Gaza are priority issues. There are also cancer patients among the civilian population in Gaza. As you know, we brought some of them to our country for treatment. There is also the issue of the reconstruction and development of Gaza. We will do what is necessary together, hopefully, to the best of our ability. We will begin reconstruction and development. Qatar is determined to walk in the same direction as Turkey on this issue. We are ready for both being a guarantor and hosting this conference. 

F-16 AND EUROFIGHTER STATEMENT

Evaluating the situation regarding the F-16 and Eurofighter fighter jets that Turkey has been trying to add to its inventory for some time, Erdoğan said to the US regarding the F-16, "I have done my duty, but I also expect something from you. You should also simultaneously pass this through your congress on this matter, let us take these steps together simultaneously."

Regarding the Eurofighter, stating that the UK's view is positive but Germany is 'causing problems', Erdoğan said, "Unfortunately, there is a problem in Germany. However, the UK has had a positive approach to resolving the snags. They say they will discuss the issue with the Germans. It is not as if we do not have other alternatives at this point," he said.