{"id":87194,"date":"2023-10-31T16:41:07","date_gmt":"2023-10-31T16:41:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebritytidings.com\/?p=87194"},"modified":"2023-10-31T16:41:07","modified_gmt":"2023-10-31T16:41:07","slug":"erdogans-incendiary-hamas-remarks-a-real-concern-for-nato-allies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebritytidings.com\/world-news\/erdogans-incendiary-hamas-remarks-a-real-concern-for-nato-allies\/","title":{"rendered":"Erdogan’s incendiary Hamas remarks a ‘real concern’ for NATO allies"},"content":{"rendered":"

Robert Courts says ‘centrality of NATO is utterly essential’<\/h3>\n

Recep Tayyip Erdogan\u2019s inflammatory remarks in support of Hamas are \u201ca real concern\u201d to his NATO allies, the newly appointed chairman of Parliament\u2019s defence committee has said.<\/p>\n

Robert Courts also urged the Turkish President to remember his commitments at a time when both Russia and China were ready to exploit any \u201ccracks\u201d in the alliance.<\/p>\n

Witney MP Mr Courts takes over the key role from predecessor Tobias Ellwood at a time when issues relating to defence are very much at the front of the agenda, with war raging in Ukraine and Israel launching a ground offensive in Gaza after Hamas\u2019 terror attack on October 7.<\/p>\n

During an incendiary speech during a pro-Palestine rally at the weekend, Mr Erdogan accused Israel of \u201copenly committing war crimes for 22 days\u201d and warned that his country \u201cmay suddenly knock on your door one night\u201d, in what was interpreted by many as a threat.<\/p>\n

His remark was greeted with jubilation by large numbers who attended the event, with many chanting: \u201cTurkish military to Gaza\u201d.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> Terrifying warning Hamas ‘being trained to use drones to kill Western leaders'[ANALYSIS] <\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

While emphasising that his committee did not have a specific position on the matter, Mr Courts told Express.co.uk: \u201cThe centrality of NATO is utterly essential. NATO is right at the centre of our entire defence posture.<\/p>\n

\u201cPresenting a united front when we’re facing the epoch-defining challenges that we have, particularly of Russia and of China, is absolutely critical.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd any any crack in that that facade is going to cause real concern from defence perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked whether Mr Erdogan needed to put his responsibilities to NATO first, Mr Courts continued: \u201cNATO is a military and diplomatic alliance, and it underpins the entirety of the West.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever the domestic position that member states must have, we have to ensure that we don’t undermine what is the most successful military alliance in history.<\/p>\n

“And so I would always ask all NATO partners to ensure that they are at all time supporting NATO.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking at the rally in Istanbul, Mr Erdogan declared: \u201cIsrael has been openly committing war crimes for 22 days, but the Western leaders cannot even call on Israel for a ceasefire, let alone react to it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI reiterate that Hamas is not a terrorist organisation. Israel was very offended by this.<\/p>\n