Erdogan accuses Israel of 'ethnic cleansing'

The Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has accused Israel of "ethnic cleansing" in Gaza, saying the Jewish state's air raids could not be considered self defence. "Israel is committing ethnic cleansing by ignoring peace in this region and violating international law," Erdogan said. "It is occupying the Palestinian territory step by step." Erdogan also accused the United Nations of failing to act over the deadly Israeli air bombardments of Gaza, calling Israeli a "terrorist state" that "massacres innocent children". He accused the UN Security Council of "turning a blind eye" to the suffering of Muslims across the world and called for "sincere action" to end Israel's strikes on Gaza, where over 100 Palestinians have died since violence erupted on Wednesday.