ISTANBUL - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a strong speech on human rights, accusing the West of "barbarism" for its stance on the Israel-Hamas war and alleged toleration of Islamophobia. Addressing a packed hall in Istanbul ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Erdogan criticized Israel and called for concrete action to prevent violations in Gaza.

President Erdogan denounced Israel's actions, stating that the country has conducted atrocities and massacres that shame humanity as a whole. He expressed disappointment with the lack of concrete steps taken by international institutions and human rights organizations to address these violations. Referring to the United States' recent veto of a United Nations resolution seeking a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza, Erdogan expressed his skepticism about America's support for human rights principles.

The Turkish President questioned the West's commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, stating that a fairer world was not possible with the support of the United States, which stands with Israel. Erdogan highlighted Turkey's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and its failure to implement rulings from the European Court of Human Rights, which have been a source of criticism during his two decades in power.

In his speech, Erdogan emphasized Islamophobia and xenophobia as the greatest threats to human rights, describing them as a poison ivy that engulfs Western societies. He mentioned the 2019 attack on mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, where a gunman killed 51 people, as an example of an Islamophobic attack that was legitimized and encouraged by the West. Erdogan condemned the West's disregard for such attacks, accusing them of applying a twisted perception and mentality.

It is worth noting that Erdogan's remarks come amidst strained diplomatic relations with Israel. In October, he announced plans to declare Israel a "war criminal" due to its actions in the Gaza Strip, prompting a response from the Israeli government to reassess its ties with Turkey.

As Erdogan's speech garners attention, it raises questions about the role of Western countries in addressing human rights concerns and the potential ramifications for diplomatic relations. The Turkish President's strong rhetoric highlights the ongoing tensions between Turkey and the West, with his accusations of the West's "barbarism" challenging the principles that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights seeks to uphold.

As the world reflects on the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Erdogan's speech serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding human rights issues and the ongoing struggles faced by various nations in upholding these principles.