13.08.2026 08:30
Following the framework law accepted with 467 votes in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, the statements made by DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları on a television program she attended raised tensions in politics. After AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik's harsh criticisms of Hatimoğulları, a statement came from the DEM Party side saying, 'The words were misunderstood and taken out of context.'
The statements made by DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları during a program she attended on Halk TV angered the AK Party. In the program, Hatimoğulları said, "When Erdoğan said, 'Stop occupying Palestine,' Netanyahu said, 'You also stop beating the Kurds, stop having them beaten.' After all, when you make a call for peace, it has no effect as long as this problem continues in Turkey."
VERY HARSH REACTION FROM THE AK PARTY: A SHAMEFUL RECORD
The response from the AK Party side to Hatimoğulları's statements was not delayed. AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik, reacting to these statements which he found contrary to the spirit of the new era, said, "While a brand new era has been opened in Parliament with 467 yes votes, it is instructive that the first statements of the DEM Party Co-Chair unfairly and groundlessly target our party and our government."
Criticizing politicians for referencing the Israeli Prime Minister, Çelik continued his words as follows:
"We condemn Ms. Hatimoğulları for addressing our opposition to Israel's occupation of Palestine by embracing the words of the genocidal Netanyahu. No politician, while explaining their own thesis, cites the words of the genocidal Netanyahu by embracing them. Ms. Hatimoğulları must correct this statement. An approach that embraces the words of the genocidal Netanyahu is the most shameful record that can be entered into a politician's file."
HATİMOĞULLARI: THERE WAS A MISUNDERSTANDING
Following the harsh reaction from the AK Party, Tülay Hatimoğulları, speaking to the Mesopotamia Agency, stated that her words were misunderstood, saying, "I expressed my extremely positive opinions." In her statement, Hatimoğulları included the following:
"While discussing the regional reflections of the peace process or the dimension to which the process has evolved with this law in Turkey during the television program I attended yesterday, I of course expressed my extremely positive opinions about how it would reflect on the region. Now, when we look at these discussions circulating on social media, we can see that there has been a serious misunderstanding. Truly, we should talk about the positive aspects of such an important law, which passed in Parliament with a high number of deputies voting yes, from every angle. We should discuss how we can take this process to a further level. Our approach here, as the DEM Party, is very clear; we have stated and emphasized on every occasion that a Turkey that has solved the Kurdish issue through peaceful and democratic means can lead the regional peace and pioneer regional peace. We are in the same place, we hold the same view. Today, as these problems are solved in Turkey, as steps are taken regarding democratization, as concrete steps are taken regarding the Kurdish issue, we should know that this will also positively reflect on the solution of the Palestinian issue, and will positively reflect on the democratization of the entire region and regional peace. It will enable us to achieve positive results in the region."
DEM PARTY SPOKESPERSON DOĞAN: TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT
As the debates grew, DEM Party Spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan also made an official statement on social media, arguing that the Co-Chair's words were taken out of context. Doğan's statement is as follows:
"The removal of our Co-Chair, Ms. Tülay Hatimoğulları's evaluations in a television program from their context has necessitated informing the public. Our party's stance against Israel's occupation and genocide policies in Palestine is clear beyond any doubt. From the Parliament rostrum to the squares, we have always stood against genocide and alongside the Palestinian people. The DEM Party's attitude on this issue is unquestionably clear. There is no question of our Co-Chair embracing Netanyahu or referencing his words with her evaluations. As long as the Kurdish issue remains unresolved, everyone, including the regional and global powers opposing Turkey, has unfortunately tried to use this issue. This determination is not an accusation; it is precisely an emphasis on the importance of Turkey's social peace against the genocidal actors. Therefore, the addressee of this determination is not Turkey or President Erdoğan, but those who seek salvation from the lack of resolution. As always, our side is with the oppressed Palestinian people; against the genocidal actors. This reality cannot be changed by polemics. Let us state clearly that the new era opened in Parliament with 467 yes votes for our joint bill proposal places historical responsibilities on all of us, rather than producing tension over words. No polemics should be created that would overshadow the peace longing of 86 million people. The DEM Party will resolutely continue its struggle for a democratic Turkey that can serve as a model for the Middle East by achieving its internal peace. Our party, aware of this responsibility, will continue to focus on the success of peace, brotherhood, and democratic integration. We believe that all parties must act sensitively for this historical process to conclude successfully."