Turkish MP dies of heart attack after bold critique of 'Israel' collab

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
16 Dec 2023 00:31
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A Turkish opposition lawmaker, Hasan Bitmez, collapses at the lectern of the Turkish Grand National Assembly after a roughly 20-minute speech on Tuesday.

Hasan Bitmez, 53, a Turkish lawmaker from the Islamist Saadet Partisi, or Felicity Party, speaks at the main chamber of the Turkish parliament in Ankara, Thursday, Dec. 14 (AP)

Turkish opposition lawmaker Hasan Bitmez passed away on Thursday after suffering a heart attack and collapsing in parliament on Tuesday, moments after delivering a critical speech on "Israel" and the Turkish ruling party's ties with the entity.

The 53-year-old member of the Saadet Partisi died at Ankara City Hospital, as confirmed by Health Minister Fahrettin Koca. Bitmez had collapsed at the lectern of the Turkish Grand National Assembly after a roughly 20-minute speech on Tuesday.

My friend, MP Hasan Bitmez, passed away today. He fainted yesterday while giving a fiery speech in the Turkish Parliament regarding Israel's Genocidal war in Gaza. He was very committed to the cause of Palestine. These were his last words: "History will not be silent if we… pic.twitter.com/Fnq2sdeckz
— Sami Al-Arian (@SamiAlArian) December 14, 2023

In the course of his address, he was observed holding a placard that read: "Murderer Israel, Collaborator AKP," referring to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party.

Bitmez accused the AKP government of maintaining trade relations with "Israel" despite being one of its most vocal critics. He faced heckling from AKP lawmakers during his speech.

The legislator concluded his remarks by reciting a poem that ended with the words: "Even if you escape the torment of history, you will not be able to escape the wrath of God."

A ceremony in honor of Bitmez took place on the parliament building grounds on Thursday, featuring his coffin adorned with a Palestinian flag and draped with the Turkish flag.

His funeral was held in Istanbul on Friday.

Massive protest in Istanbul against ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza

Turkey has been the venue of pro-Palestine protests since the first days of the aggression on the Gaza Strip.

In one of the latest demonstrations, a significant number of people assembled in Istanbul last Sunday to demonstrate against the Israeli military's ongoing aggression on the besieged Gaza Strip.

Ten human rights organizations issued a call for the pro-Palestinian protest on World Human Rights Day, with speakers condemning "Israel" for its severe human rights violations, including the destruction of Gaza's essential infrastructure.

The participants of the rally gathered in Beyazit Square, displaying pro-Palestine banners while protesting against "Israel". Following a march to the world-renowned Hagia Sophia Mosque, passages from the Muslim Holy Quran were recited, accompanied by prayers for Palestinians.

Protestors in Ankara, Turkey, take to the streets for Palestine 🇵🇸

Stop the US-backed Israeli genocide of Gaza! pic.twitter.com/3LmfjPHVA2
— Fiona Edwards (@Fio_edwards) December 10, 2023

Human rights leaders also spoke to rally participants, criticizing the United States for allowing "Israel" to persist in killing innocent Palestinians, particularly in Gaza.

They commended the Turkish government and its leaders for their opposition to the killings in Gaza, urging other Muslim countries to follow Ankara's example.

Additionally, they called on people to boycott US products and those who support "Israel".