Erdogan and Abbas – Photo: AP

Speaking alongside visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Erdogan attacked the Israeli leader’s conduct and policies. “How can a man who has killed 25,000 people in Gaza with state terrorism wave his hand in Paris, like people are waiting in excitement for him to do so? How dare he go there?”

“You should first give an account for the children and the women you have killed,” added Erdogan, who has been an outspoken critic of Israeli offensives against Hamas in the Strip, despite close commercial ties between Israel and Turkey.

Netanyahu with world leaders – Photo: GPO

Erdogan, who did not attend the Sunday march, accused the West on Monday of hypocrisy for its stance over the attacks, though Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu did participate in the rally.

Abbas and Erdogan in front of honor guard – Photo: AP

“Games are being played with the Islamic world, we need to be aware of this,” said Erdogan, who traces his political roots to a banned Islamist movement.

Mosques in France, Germany and Sweden have been vandalized before and since the attacks in what Turkey and others see as a growing tide of anti-Muslim sentiment across the continent.

The only one smiling in the Paris ceremony (circled) protesting the murder of innocent civilians, the Holocaust denier Mahmoud Abbas, seems to be enjoying the memorial protest. – Photo: AP

Erdogan blamed Islamophobia for the West’s reluctance to take in more Syrian refugees after nearly four years of civil war, while Turkey hosts more than 1.6 million Syrians.

For their part, European governments have criticized Turkey for allowing Islamic militants from Europe and elsewhere to travel through its territory to fight in neighboring Syria.

A suspected female accomplice in the Paris attacks came through Turkey to Syria before the killings occurred, Turkish officials said.

View original Ynet publication at: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4614409,00.html