Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House later today for talks expected to focus heavily on the ongoing Gaza conflict.
The meeting comes a day after both leaders participated in a high-level gathering on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Trump convened the session with eight Arab and Muslim leaders to discuss the nearly two-year-long war in Gaza, which has caused widespread destruction and humanitarian catastrophe.
Erdogan has been one of the most outspoken critics of Israel’s military campaign, repeatedly condemning what he calls war crimes and human rights violations. According to Palestinian figures, more than 65,000 people have been killed in the territory since the conflict began, while nearly 90 percent of homes have been either destroyed or severely damaged.
Addressing the UN General Assembly earlier this week, Erdogan delivered a scathing attack on Israel, accusing its forces of carrying out atrocities under the guise of counterterrorism. “This is not a fight against terrorism,” he said. “This is an occupation, deportation, exile, genocide and life destruction, a mass destruction policy carried on by invoking the events of October 7.”
The White House meeting between Trump and Erdogan is expected to cover bilateral relations as well, but analysts say Gaza will dominate the agenda. Observers are watching closely to see whether Erdogan’s sharp rhetoric against Israel will influence discussions, especially given Washington’s continued military and diplomatic support for Tel Aviv.
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