Erdogan Defends Hamas Amid US Concerns Over Turkey’s Support

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his refusal to designate Hamas as a terrorist organization, dismissing concerns raised by a senior US Treasury official about this country’s alleged support for the group’s financial operations.

“I can never accept Hamas as a terrorist organization, no matter what anyone says,” Erdogan said, responding to remarks by US Under-Secretary Brian Nelson, which expressing apprehension about Turkey’s suspected facilitation of Hamas’s financial dealings.