Amina Erdogan, the wife of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, burst into tears during a speech at a special women's conference on peace in Istanbul when she described the suffering of Palestinian children in Jerusalem.
"Girls who raised their tiny fists in front of Israeli soldiers armed with rifles are breaking our hearts. Children's voices are not meant to scream and cry but to laugh and rejoice," Erdogan said as she struggled to control her emotions.
Sayın @EmineErdogan Hanımefendi;
"If you want to get rid of it, you can do it yourself, and if you want to get rid of it, you can do it yourself."
pic.twitter.com/UozKHkwBCj
- Sevgi Gülseren @ (@ guneysevgi969) October 17, 2021
"How can humanity explain to itself images of rifle butts being aimed at children? Are we aware that children are born in a war scene?"
Erdogan wondered, "Palestine is a mirror for all of us as Muslims and the commitment to it is part of our religious commandment."
Erdogan echoed her husband's aspirations to re-establish the Turkish Empire, saying: "Under the rule of the Ottoman Empire in Jerusalem there was peace and there was understanding between the religions when everyone was allowed to pray and practice their religion. Now there is a reality of fear and occupation in Jerusalem."
Erdogan also referred to the phenomenon of Islamophobia and said: "There is a hidden plague from the eye that travels the world and poisons minds and hearts. Attacks on Muslims in all parts of the world indicate that the circle around us is tightening. They have built artificial borders around us but we must unite," Erdogan said.