Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan under fire from US after calling Zionism a 'crime against humanity'
John Kerry set to criticise PM over 'particularly offensive' comments
Friday 01 March 2013
Related articles
The United States is to complain to the Turkish prime minister for comments he made calling Zionism a crime against humanity.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to meet with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Ankara today.
Kerry is reportedly planning to take the Turkish PM to task over the comments, which he described as "particularly offensive".
Mr Erdogan said in Vienna that Islamophobia ought to be considered a crime against humanity "just like Zionism, anti-Semitism and fascism".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply condemned the statement calling it "dark and mendacious".
US National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor said the characterisation was "offensive and wrong" and said people of all religions should "denounce hateful actions and overcome ... differences".
A UN statement said: "If the comment about Zionism was interpreted correctly, then it was not only wrong, but contradicts the very principles on which the Alliance of Civilizations is based."
The statement said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon "believes it is unfortunate that such hurtful and divisive comments were uttered at a meeting being held under the theme of responsible leadership."
-
That's some guestlist! Stunning images show huge dynastic wedding between Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families which attracted 25,000 guests
-
Man and woman arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder victim of Woolwich machete attack, named as Drummer Lee Rigby
-
'Sickening, deluded and unforgivable': Horrific attack brings terror to London’s streets
-
Video: Woolwich attack - man with bloodied hands and knife addresses camera
-
Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, the mother-of-two hailed as a hero for confronting Woolwich attackers, thought: 'better me than a child'
- 1 Man and woman arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder victim of Woolwich machete attack, named as Drummer Lee Rigby
- 2 'Sickening, deluded and unforgivable': Horrific attack brings terror to London’s streets
- 3 Grace Dent: I’m not sure how these people can avoid being called ‘bigots’. And the more ‘civilised’, the worse they are
- 4 Woolwich murder: They killed, then they performed - these men should be starved of our attention
- 5 Woolwich attack: The EDL will seek to exploit this evil crime for their own evil ends
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Making reading fun for kids
Nook is donating eReaders to volunteers at high-need schools and participating in exclusive events throughout the campaign.
Introducing the 'Get Reading' campaign
Get the latest on The Evening Standard's campaign to get London's children reading.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Independent Dating
Day In a Page
The man who's eaten everywhere
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?
Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival
The 10 Best salt and pepper sets
Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed
Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them





