In a recent interview, Turkey’s former President Abdullah Gul expressed criticism towards the United States and its allies, asserting that they are engaged in a “dangerous game” marked by “hypocritical double standards” in their dealings with Israel and Ukraine. Gul contended that the policies pursued by these nations could result in their self-imposed isolation from the global community.
“When Ukraine is concerned, they talk about territorial integrity, human rights, killing of civilians, saying Russia is breaking international law,” Gul said in the interview.
“But at the same time when Israel is killing a mass civilian population in a short time in Gaza … the U.S. vetoes a cease-fire [at the U.N. Security Council].”
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“Many nations and countries in the world are having more sympathy towards the authoritarian regimes because of the West’s blind support for Israel,” Gul said.
“If and when it is needed, instead of the U.SMiddle-East countries, many Muslim countries, African countries, even many movements in Europe, might be on the Chinese and Russian side.”
Abdullah Gul, a co-founder of Turkey’s Justice and Development Party alongside current President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, played a significant role in the party’s leadership, serving as foreign minister, prime minister, and president from 2007 to 2014. With a tenure exceeding two decades, the party has maintained its conservative stance.
Gul, now 73 years old, expressed disapproval for civilian casualties on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides. While he does not endorse Hamas’s abduction of Israeli civilians, he criticized the Israeli government’s response to the events as “disproportionate” and characterized it as a form of “total punishment of Palestinians.” Additionally, Gul referred to the Israeli government’s actions as a deliberate effort at “demographic modification.”
After the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties, primarily civilians, and the abduction of 253 hostages, Israel retaliated by causing the death of around 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza, with a majority being civilians, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry. In response to this crisis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a commitment to persist in the conflict until accomplishing objectives, which include the elimination of Hamas, the release of all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.
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Turkey, a dominant Muslim country in the region, has historically been a steadfast supporter of the Palestinian cause.
“If the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions that call for a two-state solution are put into action, then we can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Gul said.
“There is also the need for fresh thinking from the Palestinian side,” urging all Palestinian factions to form “political unity” and “agree on a political exit strategy,” he added. “Such a credible, trustworthy and fresh leadership could lead the negotiations with a high level of representation capacity and realize a historical mission of achieving a statehood for Palestine, with the additional moral ground that will be gained.”
“If we do not uphold the territorial integrity of Palestine, how can we convincingly defend Ukraine’s?” he said. “If you do not respect international law, how will you remain credible?”
Gul added that U.S. double standards have a “very negative effect” on helping Ukraine, saying many Western countries “came to that stage” of showing signs of fatigue for helping Ukraine, as members of the public are questioning their governments in Europe and the U.S.
“Europe and the U.S. would encourage the Ukraine leadership to sit at the negotiating table to have a mutually agreed solution with the Russian side. “
The absence of a peaceful resolution for the Ukraine situation may embolden China, fostering the perception in Beijing that there are no impediments to their potential actions against Taiwan. The former president highlighted China’s significance as a strategic partner for Turkey. He conveyed Turkey’s endorsement of the Belt and Road Initiative, emphasizing close collaboration with Beijing to enhance the “Middle Corridor” passing through Turkey. This collaboration aims to improve connectivity between the East and the West.
In the interview, Gul reminisced about his “historical” visit to Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, during his official trip to China in June 2009—prior to a Chinese crackdown following deadly riots in the city. He recounted engaging with the local populace, addressing students and academics at the university, and holding discussions with local authorities. This visit was the sole instance of a Turkish president visiting the Xinjiang region.
“We consider Uyghur Turks living in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China as a bridge between us,” Gul said. “Our expectations and sensitivities for the Uyghur Turks are to see them living in welfare and peace as equal citizens of China, in the framework of its one China policy.”
“The fundamental rights and freedoms [of Uyghur Turks] should be protected. Their cultural and religious identities should be respected,” he said. “The Chinese authorities need to end all the extraordinary measures taken towards the Uyghur Turks. This does not comply with the global actor nature of China. … We see China as a strategic partner, but these are important issues.”
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Turkey’s former president, Abdullah Gul, commented on the nation’s previous economic strategy, which deviated from mainstream economic theory by reducing central bank policy rates instead of raising them to control inflation. This experimental approach resulted in elevated inflation levels, and Gul characterized such policies as “wishful.”
Following the presidential election in May, a new cabinet was established, ushering in a shift towards more orthodox, scientifically grounded, and logical economic policies. After the presidential election last May, “There is a new cabinet and now orthodox, well-tested, scientific, logical economic policies have been put into force,” he said.
“These current economic policies need to be backed strongly and also need to be supported by judicial and political reforms.”
Hence, former Turkish President Abdullah Gul criticizes the U.S. “selective policies” on Israel and Ukraine, highlighting perceived double standards.