Latest news with #JusticeandDevelopmentParty
Rudaw Net
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Erdogan warns against testing Turkey, vows efforts to stop Israeli ‘aggression'
Also in Turkey Erdogan vows action against magazine over alleged religious insult Turkey's Erdogan grants amnesty to ill Kurdish prisoner DEM Party pushes for parliamentary commission to shape PKK peace process DEM Party says Ankara-PKK peace process reached 'important' stage A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday warned that Turkey should not be tested or provoked, asserting that Ankara would continue its efforts to stop what he described as Israeli 'aggression' amid ongoing escalation between Israel and Iran. "The Republic of Turkey is not just any state among states. No one should dare to compare us with others. No one should attempt to test us, challenge us, or push the limits of our patience," Erdogan said during a meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). His comments come after Israel on Friday launched a wide-scale aerial assault on Iran, targeting key nuclear facilities and killing several senior military commanders and nuclear scientists. Iran responded with waves of missiles and drones that struck multiple sites inside Israeli territory. According to Iranian authorities, at least 224 people - mostly civilians - have been killed and over 1,300 injured in the Israeli strikes. Israeli officials say at least 24 civilians have been killed and around 600 injured in the retaliatory attacks from Iran. Erdogan also emphasized Turkey's military capabilities, saying, 'Turkey is now a country that protects its own airspace with domestically developed national air defense systems and possesses an integrated and layered defense architecture." He added that his country is 'closely monitoring Israel's terrorist attacks against Iran,' accusing Israel of expanding 'the scope of its banditry' by 'attacking certain targets in Iran and carrying out assassinations within the country.' In response, Israeli Defense Minister Gideon Saar said on X that 'Erdogan continues his provocative rhetoric against Israel and the Israeli Prime Minister in another enthusiastic and aggressive speech,' accusing the Turkish leader of 'suppressing the freedoms and rights of his citizens, as well as dissent within his country.' In March 2025, mass protests broke out in Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoglu, a key rival to Erdogan, on charges seen as politically motivated. Authorities cracked down heavily, detaining over 1,400 people and banning public gatherings in cities like Istanbul and Ankara. Rights groups, the UN, and EU officials condemned the arrests and use of force. Reaffirming Ankara's diplomatic push, Erdogan said, 'Our efforts to stop Israel's aggression will continue, and our initiatives to establish peace in our region will increasingly continue. We will not pause our diplomatic engagements or our telephone diplomacy. We will make every effort to prevent a catastrophe that could affect everyone.' On Sunday, Erdogan held a phone call with US President Donald Trump, discussing the growing conflict and calling for renewed diplomatic efforts. Turkey was also among 20 Islamic and Arab nations that issued a joint statement on Tuesday condemning Israel's attack on Iran. Ties between Ankara and Tel Aviv have deteriorated over the past months. The two countries formally severed diplomatic relations in November, following Erdogan's accusation that Israel was prolonging the war in Gaza. Despite that, Turkish and Israeli officials resumed diplomatic talks in April.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands protest against Istanbul mayor's removal 100 days ago
Thousands of people have demonstrated in Istanbul against the arrest and removal of the city's former mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, which occurred 100 days ago. In front of the city administration building, they chanted slogans such as "Against fascism, shoulder to shoulder" and "President İmamoğlu." The rally was called by his Republican People's Party (CHP) party. The popular politician and promising challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was arrested and removed from office on March 23. Numerous other individuals from his circle and party have been taken into custody in several waves of arrests. Despite this, his party has nominated him as a presidential candidate. The next regular elections are scheduled for 2028. The protest coincides with another significant blow to İmamoğlu's party: In the morning, more than 100 people were arrested in İzmir due to corruption investigations. The party views itself as a victim of a judiciary manipulated by the government. President Erdoğan, however, repeatedly asserts the independence of the judiciary. The CHP, currently the largest opposition party in Turkey, emerged as the strongest force from the last nationwide local elections. Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party (AKP), for the first time in its history, only secured second place in a nationwide election.
Ya Biladi
6 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Palestinian refugee and Gaza doctor stories rejected from Arabic exam in Morocco
The Regional Directorate of the Ministry of National Education in Al Fida–Mers Sultan district in Casablanca has rejected two texts intended for the sixth-grade Arabic language exam scheduled for June 2025. Both texts addressed the suffering of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation. The first text tells the story of a Palestinian refugee dreaming of returning to his homeland, while the second recounts the experience of a Palestinian doctor who, against all odds, continued to provide medical aid to his besieged people in Gaza. The directorate justified its decision by stating that the proposed texts «touched on politically sensitive national issues» and requested that the Arabic language exam topic be «replaced with something more appropriate». This decision sparked a wave of controversy on social media and drew attention in parliament. Abdessamad Haiker, a MP from the Justice and Development Party (PJD), submitted a written question to the Minister of National Education, Primary Education, and Sports. He emphasized that «the resilience of the Palestinian people in facing occupation and their right to return to their homeland are legitimate rights guaranteed by international law and various relevant international resolutions. These rights have never been a matter of debate or disagreement among Moroccans of different backgrounds». Haiker added, «Moroccans have historically been at the forefront of supporting the Palestinian people and defending their historic and legitimate rights, including the right to return to Palestine. This issue has always been deeply rooted in the Moroccan conscience and has never been a source of sensitivity». He described the directorate's actions as a blatant provocation to the feelings of Moroccans and a direct affront to their national values—chief among them the Palestinian cause, which «His Majesty the King equates with the territorial integrity of the kingdom». Haiker called on the Minister of National Education and Primary Education to clarify the details of this decision and outline the measures his ministry will take to address this offensive incident and prevent its recurrence. Meanwhile, the Moroccan Front for Supporting Palestine and Against Normalization issued a statement condemning the move, declaring that «the censored text, prepared in full compliance with the exam procedures manual and the framework for the primary education certificate exam, was unlawfully rejected». The Front strongly denounced «the actions of the Al Fida-Mers Sultan Regional Directorate», calling them «an act of educational normalization, the most dangerous form of normalization with the Zionist entity». The Front affirmed that this incident is «not isolated but part of the Moroccan regime's ongoing comprehensive normalization with the criminal Zionist entity». They demanded «a fair and independent investigation into the matter and that those responsible for this blatant betrayal be held accountable».
Ya Biladi
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco : Benkirane defends his support for Iran
On Sunday, June 22, Abdelilah Benkirane led the regional congress of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) in Fès-Meknès. During his speech, the secretary-general reaffirmed his party's condemnation of the Israeli strikes on Iran. «I stand with Morocco against Iran when the conflict directly involves our country, and I support Morocco against any state that seeks to confront it», he declared. Defending his position, Benkirane recalled instructing PJD members not to join the early demonstrations of the February 20 Movement in 2011, during the Arab Spring. «The one who opposed those protests from the very beginning was me, Abdelilah Benkirane. It's time to stop the one-upmanship», he added. He clarified that his support for Iran stems from religious considerations: «Today, Iran is not confronting Morocco but Israel, which is backed by the United States». Benkirane stressed that Iran supports the Palestinians in their struggle against Israeli aggression. As a reminder, on November 23, 2024, Benkirane praised «the axis of resistance, the only force that truly supports the Palestinians and has paid a high price for it, namely the Shia axis, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Iran». In his speech, however, he avoided any reference to Iran's backing of the Polisario or its recognition of the so-called «SADR». Just hours after the June 13 Israeli strikes on targets in Iran, the PJD's general secretariat condemned the attacks, describing them as a «Zionist terrorist aggression against the Iranian people» and a «violation of Iran's territory and sovereignty». PJD stated that «the targeting of infrastructure and the assassination of Iranian leaders» represented a «flagrant breach of international laws and conventions, amid reprehensible international silence and the full complicity of the United States».
Morocco World
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Benkirane Defends Pro-Iran Statements, Says Israel Has ‘No Future in the Region'
Rabat – In a speech delivered in Fez on Sunday, Abdelilah Benkirane, Secretary General of Morocco's Justice and Development Party (PJD), reaffirmed his support for Morocco in any bilateral dispute with Iran, while also voicing religious solidarity with Tehran in its confrontation with Israel. The former head of government attempted to walk a political tightrope, blending patriotism with pan-Islamic rhetoric as he responded to widespread criticism over his recent pro-Iran statements. Benkirane, known for his conservative base and populist tone, clarified that he stands with Morocco 'against any hostile power,' including Iran, but only if a direct conflict arises between the two countries. 'Tensions between Iran and Morocco are not bilateral,' he argued. 'Iran is currently engaged in a broader geopolitical standoff with Israel , which is backed by the United States.' Despite Iran's long-standing support for Morocco's regional rivals, including the Polisario Front and its main ally Algeria, Benkirane insisted his support towards Iran stems from religious grounds. 'We disagree with Iran's doctrinal positions and theological innovations,' he said, 'but we support them in the name of Islam because they raise the Islamic banner and stand with the Palestinian cause.' Benkirane's remarks came with a heavy dose of religious rhetoric, positioning Israel as a 'criminal regime' built on 'civilian killings, blockades, and starvation.' He asserted that Israel has 'no future in the region,' likening its eventual downfall to the expulsion of the Mongols, Crusaders, and colonial powers from Muslim lands. While reaffirming his staunch opposition to re-igniting diplomatic ties with Israel, the PJD leader warned: 'If you believe eliminating Iran or Hamas will solve your problem, you are delusional. The Ummah has over two billion people.' Tags: Abddelilah BenkiraneGazaIran Israel War
