Day: January 29, 2023

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday criticized international media outlets that recently tried to influence public opinion with “sneaky” articles on Türkiye’s upcoming elections.

“International media organizations, which do not even properly deal with the elections in their own countries, follow the election process in Türkiye every day.

“They even go beyond following them and try to guide the public with their despicable headlines and sneaky articles they publish,” Erdogan said at an event in the western Denizli province.

Erdogan added: “Of course, we are aware of what bothers them, why they attack us, why they meddle in the elections in our country.”

His remarks follow a recent article published by the London-based weekly The Economist, calling on outsiders to pay attention to Türkiye’s upcoming elections, and claiming that the country is “on the brink of disaster” under Erdogan. Later, Erdogan lambasted The Economist, saying: “The British magazine cannot determine the fate of Türkiye.”

Previously, Erdogan said May 14 is the “most suitable” date for holding the next parliamentary and presidential elections.

As Türkiye’s ruler since 2003 – first as prime minister and then since 2014, as president – Erdogan added the country will experience “one of the most critical” elections in its history on May 14.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Thousands took to the streets in Tel Aviv to protest plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to overhaul the legal system.

Organizers announced that no music will be played from stages during the demonstrations.

Police closed roads to traffic leading to squares during the day and security measures were taken in the surrounding area.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered on Kaplan Street, carrying Israeli flags. Demonstrators chanted “No to dictatorship” and “Democracy.”

Proposed by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the reform, if enacted, would be the most radical change in the system of government in Israel.

The proposed changes will severely limit the power of the Supreme Court and give the government the power to choose judges and end the appointment of legal advisers to ministries by the attorney general.

But Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, said he received a mandate from millions of voters to carry out judicial reforms.

Regarding the synagogue attack in occupied East Jerusalem, Netanyahu wrote on Twitter that the government’s response will be “strong, swift and precise.”

“While we are not seeking escalation, we are prepared for any scenario,” he wrote.

At least seven settlers were killed in a shooting near a synagogue in an Israeli settlement in East Jerusalem late Friday. In a separate attack, two Israeli settlers were injured Saturday in occupied East Jerusalem.

That was after nine Palestinians were killed Thursday and dozens injured in an Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin.

Nearly 30 Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire since the start of the year, according to Palestinian figures.

Source: Anadolu Agency