Palestine supporters protest near NATO summit in Netherlands
Pro-Palestinian protesters lie on the sand as they demonstrate on the Zuiderstrand beach against the violence in Gaza, on the sidelines of a NATO summit, in The Hague, Netherlands
Iran criticises NATO chief’s praise for US bombardment
Iran has sharply criticised NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte after he appeared to praise US strikes on Iranian territory, calling his comments an endorsement of “a criminal act of aggression”.
“It is disgraceful, despicable and irresponsible for #NATO’s SG to congratulate a ‘truly extraordinary’ criminal act of aggression against a sovereign state,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei wrote on X.
“Who endorses an injustice lacks integrity. Who supports a crime is regarded as complicit.”
His comments were in response to a text message of praise Rutte sent to US President Donald Trump on Tuesday after the US attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Turkiye’s leader says peace with Israel impossible over Gaza attack
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ruled out a “peaceful” relationship with Israel as long as the country continues its war on Gaza.
Speaking at the end of a NATO summit, Erdogan criticised Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, saying organisations such as the Red Cross are being obstructed.
“Peace and harmony between us is not possible as long as they [Israel] continue in this manner,” Erdogan said. “Israel cannot ensure the safety of its own people by destabilising the region.”
Turkiye and Israel were once close allies, but ties have soured under Erdogan’s two-decade-long rule. He has denounced Israel’s treatment of Palestinians while Israel objects to his support for Hamas.
