Erdogan attacks Netanyahu: How does head of terror state dare attend Paris march?
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday blasted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for daring to attend Sunday's anti-terror solidarity march in Paris.
Netanyahu, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and other world leaders took part in the march on Sunday to commemorate 17 people killed in terror attacks last week by extremist Islamists.
The Turkish leader said that Netanyahu had no right to be at the rally due to the civilian casualties in Gaza during this past summer's Operation Protective Edge.
"I also hardly understand how he (Netanyahu) dared to go there. For once, you give an account for the children, women you massacred," Erdogan said in a joint press conference with Abbas in Ankara, AFP reported.
"How can you see this individual who carries out state terrorism by massacring 2,500 people in Gaza waving his hand," Erdogan said.
"He is waving his hand as if people are very enthusiastically waiting for him," AFP quoted Erdogan saying.
Erdogan accused the West of having a double standard with regard to Muslims. The Turkish leader said historically Muslims were never on the side of terror, nor did they perpetrate massacres.
Referring to last week's deadly attacks in France, Erdogan said that racism, hate messages and Islamaphobia stood behind the acts.
"We hope that the those attacking nations, cease their assault on our mosques."
"Take note that the acts of terror are not carried out in a vacuum. The acts follow a predetermined script and we should be alive to a plot against the Islamic world," he added.
On Monday, Netanyahu visited at the Hyper Cacher kosher grocery store in Paris, the site of Friday's attack that killed four French Jews.
Netanyahu said he expected the world leaders who marched against terrorism in the streets of Paris on Sunday to fight terror "even when it is directed at Israel and the Jews."
By JPOST.COM STAFF, YASSER OKBI/ MAARIV HASHAVUA