Support from Karamollaoğlu for Erdoğan's remarks: I do not consider Hamas a terrorist organization

Saadet Party Chairman Temel Karamollaoğlu answered questions at the Ankara Representatives Media Meeting held at his party's headquarters.

When asked about AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's statements regarding Israel's attacks on Gaza and Hamas, Karamollaoğlu said that Palestinians are only protecting their own lands and that Hamas is among the Palestinian resistance organizations.

"I DO NOT CONSIDER HAMAS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION"

Stating that against Israel's "promised land" rhetoric, Hamas says, "We have been here for hundreds of years, our ancestors lived on these lands. Therefore, we will defend our lands," Karamollaoğlu said, "I see Hamas this way. For this reason, I do not consider it a terrorist organization. Mr. Erdoğan also expressed this very clearly in his latest speech."

"THE US IS BECOMING RADICALIZED"

Expressing his opinion that the US is becoming increasingly radicalized, Karamollaoğlu emphasized that it remains silent on the crimes against humanity and the massacre Israel is committing in Gaza before the eyes of the world.

Karamollaoğlu warned that US support for Israel could lead to a new world war. Stating that the US is no longer an ally of Turkey, Karamollaoğlu said that the Kürecik and İncirlik bases should be closed.

Reminding that European leaders, primarily the US, have declared their support for Israel despite the massacres, Karamollaoğlu said, "If NATO takes a one-sided stance (with Israel), we are not on their side."

Karamollaoğlu noted that Turkey should bring together the D-8, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Turkic Republics during this process.

SWEDEN'S NATO MEMBERSHIP

When asked about the party's stance if the bill regarding Sweden's NATO accession protocol, which was reminded to have been referred to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Foreign Affairs Committee, is voted on in the General Assembly, Karamollaoğlu replied:

"I am of the opinion that Sweden's membership should not be viewed favorably under today's conditions. We will not display a positive attitude. We will look at the conditions of that day once again. We will reconsider it."

Regarding questions about local elections and alliances, Karamollaoğlu stated that he does not see the Nation Alliance as a failure when evaluated based on the vote percentage it received in the general elections, but that the opposition must get rid of the fragmented image it is in.

Temel Karamollaoğlu gave the following response to the question of whether they will form an alliance in the local elections to be held on March 31, 2024:

"We will enter the elections in all electoral districts with our own emblem. This is our number one goal, but we will not abandon close contact. When the time comes, the possibility of displaying a different attitude in some electoral districts may arise. It would no longer be accurate to speak of the 'Table of Six'. The elections are over, the Table of Six is over. The infighting that followed it was already an indication that it had ended."

Karamollaoğlu answered the question of whether they were invited to the "Great Palestine Rally" to be held on Saturday, October 28, by saying, "Governments do not hold rallies; they create policy. This rally is inappropriate. There is a general invitation, but no special invitation was received."