Erdoğan urges Biden to stop US support to Israel

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has urged his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden, that the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza as a result of indiscriminate Israeli attacks must be stopped and recalled that it was the United States' historic responsibility to achieve a lasting ceasefire in the region.

Erdoğan and Biden spoke by phone late on Dec. 14 upon the request of the latter. The call addressed Israel's attacks on Palestinian territories, particularly Gaza, the Türkiye-U.S. bilateral relations and Sweden's NATO membership process as well as global and regional issues, according to a statement by the Communications Directorate.

It was the first exchange between Erdoğan and Biden after the start of the war between Israel and Hamas on Oct. 7.

Erdoğan stated that the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Gaza must be stopped immediately, that the withdrawal of the unconditional support the U.S. provides to Israel may ensure a ceasefire quickly.

Recalling that this demand is being voiced more loudly in recent days both by the international community and the U.S. public opinion Erdoğan stressed that it is the "historical responsibility of the U.S. to achieve a lasting ceasefire in the region without delay."

"I told Biden that, as the United States, you should intervene first," Erdoğan addressed reporters after a Friday prayer on Dec. 15, highlighted civilian deaths and attacks on places of worship in Gaza. The president said he assured Biden that Türkiye is "doing its best and will continue its efforts to address this crime against humanity."

Erdoğan also noted that the deepening and prolongation of Israel's attacks may have negative regional and global consequences. He also underlined that the most reasonable and permanent solution is to...