AHEPA commends bipartisan congressional action to urge the U.S. Department of State to hold the Republic of Turkey accountable for its role in supporting and facilitating the operations of Hamas, announced Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos.
Congressional Hellenic Caucus Co-Chairs U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Chris Pappas (D-NH) led the effort to secure the support of 45 colleagues on a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken that requests the State Department demand the Turkish government to act on six measures pertaining to Hamas. One of those measures is to formally designate Hamas as a terrorist organization.
“We commend the leadership of Congressmen Bilirakis and Pappas and sincerely thank the legislators who supported it,” Supreme President Tsivicos said. “Turkey is a failed NATO ally in many ways, one of which is evidenced by its cozy relationship with Hamas. The letter demonstrates the extent of this relationship in excellent detail. We call upon Secretary Blinken to take the appropriate steps to hold Turkey accountable per the measures presented by the lawmakers.”
“We further encourage the community to share the letter with their elected representatives,” Tsivicos added.
The letter comes in the wake of Turkish President Erdogan’s refusal to acknowledge Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Joint Caucus Condemnation Applauded
AHEPA also applauds a joint bipartisan congressional caucus condemnation of Turkish President Erdogan’s remarks on Hamas, announced Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos.
The co-chairs and vice co-chairs of the Hellenic Caucus, Armenian Caucus, Israel Allies Caucus, and the Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance Caucus, issued the statement of condemnation on Oct. 27.