Özel Slams Erdoğan’s U.S. Trip: “Not a Word About Palestine at the Trump Meeting”

In a press statement held at Silivri Prison, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel addressed the lawsuits against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and criticized President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent U.S. visit. He argued that the Palestinian issue was absent from Erdoğan’s highly publicized meeting with Donald Trump.

Özel recalled his repeated appeals in parliament for stronger action on Palestine: “You know, during our talks in Parliament, when we called for an extraordinary session for Palestine, I urged President Erdoğan to show courage. I suggested that all leaders in Turkey should go to Palestine together. Not only did he ignore this, but when I asked why Turkey is almost the only country not to airdrop humanitarian aid—while even Canada did—there was no response. I also said Turkey should absolutely support the Sumud flotilla, which aims to break the blockade on Palestine.”

Blocked Participation in the Sumud Flotilla

The CHP leader explained that efforts by Turkish lawmakers to join the flotilla were obstructed: “We tried to ensure participation from our MPs, including Mr. Mahmut Tanal, but later the flotilla organization itself did not allow deputies from any party to take part. So colleagues from other parties were also blocked.”

Despite these setbacks, Özel reaffirmed his support for the initiative: “We must protect the Sumud flotilla.”

Calls Before Erdoğan’s U.S. Visit

Özel said he had warned Erdoğan ahead of his U.S. trip to make Palestine the central issue: “I insisted that his entire agenda should be the Palestinian cause. I raised this on the parliamentary floor and we discuss it often at the Socialist International as well. I told him: ‘Israel should not be allowed in international competitions. Protect the Sumud flotilla.’ Recently in Eyüp Sultan, we also repeated: protect the flotilla. Spain is supporting it, Italy just added another ship. We call on Erdoğan once again: the Navy must be mobilized to protect the Sumud flotilla. If all countries show this courage, Israel will not dare do anything. Spain stands up for those people, Italy stands up for those people—ours remain silent.”

“Defend Palestine in Front of Trump”

Özel directly criticized Erdoğan’s conduct during his bilateral with Trump: “Erdoğan goes to America, sits across from Trump, and should defend Palestine. Don’t call Netanyahu a hero, call him what he is: a war criminal. Stop talking about building hotels in Gaza. Stand firmly behind the United Nations’ two-state solution. I told him, ‘When you return, I will meet you at the airport.’ But yesterday, as you saw, not a single word about Palestine came from his mouth in front of Trump.”

“Not Even the ‘P’ of Palestine”

Özel also accused Erdoğan of hypocrisy, contrasting past fiery rhetoric with the silence in Washington: “What happened to the ‘one minute’ stance? Erdoğan leaves the table while Trump is practically pulling the chair from under him. Do you feel no shame? There wasn’t even the ‘P’ of Palestine in that meeting.”

Strategic and Economic Deals, But No Moral Gains

Turning to Turkey’s broader strategic agenda, Özel pointed out that Erdoğan prioritized economic and bilateral deals with the U.S. over the Palestinian question: “There is already an agreement for BOTAŞ with Russia for cheaper gas than importing LNG by ship from America. You say you will buy $50 billion worth of natural gas from the U.S. I asked for 300 aircraft, 225 were confirmed by Turkish Airlines, and the Boeing order is complete. You are also cooperating on nuclear energy. There is the matter of the Halki Seminary on Heybeliada. All of this is happening. But what did you really bring back from there? He says he brought legitimacy. Legitimacy is not taken abroad; it is given by the nation. You enter an election, you win, then you are a legitimate government.”

Linking Domestic Struggles with Foreign Policy Failures

For Özel, Erdoğan’s silence on Palestine during the U.S. trip is not an isolated issue—it is a reflection of a larger political weakness. By criticizing Erdoğan for neglecting moral leadership in favor of transactional deals, Özel framed the trip as a failure of priorities: Turkey, he suggested, is abandoning its historical role of standing up for the oppressed, especially Palestinians, in favor of short-term strategic and economic calculations.

The CHP leader’s remarks also tied Erdoğan’s U.S. diplomacy to ongoing domestic disputes, particularly the cases against Ekrem İmamoğlu. Özel portrayed both as part of a pattern where political maneuvering outweighs democratic accountability and human rights advocacy.