A Turkish lawmaker who declared that Israel “will suffer the wrath of God” suffered a heart attack and collapsed on the floor of Parliament Tuesday – just moments after delivering his scathing criticism of his country’s response to the Israel-Hamas war.
Shocking footage shows Hasan Bitmez, 53, standing behind a podium before suddenly falling to the ground while addressing the General Assembly of the Turkish National Assembly.
“You will not escape the wrath of God,” Bitmez said moments before he collapsed and appeared to hit his head on the marble floor of the General Assembly Hall, sending a crowd of concerned onlookers running to his side.
Bitmez’s heart reportedly stopped in Parliament but then restarted, YNet News reported.
Bitmez, who serves as deputy leader of Turkey’s Felicity Party, also has diabetes. He received two stents in an artery in his heart after an angiography at a local hospital, YNet reported, citing the Turkish-language BBC.
He is believed to be in critical condition.
Before his fall, Bitmez attacked the Turkish government for having “endless love for Israel,” and said the government “contributes to every bomb dropped by Israel.”
Onlookers rush to Hasan Bitmez’s side after he collapses during a speech in Turkey’s National Assembly. AFP via Getty Images
He also accused Israel of committing crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people, according to the outlet.
Lawmakers from the Justice and Development Party, led by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, hit back, blaming Bitmez’s condition on the “wrath of God,” according to minutes from the session.
While Turkey condemned the deaths of Israelis caused by Hamas’s surprise invasion on October 7, days after the horrific attack Erdogan referred to Hamas as “freedom fighters.”
Bitmez collapsed briefly after his speech Tuesday. AFP via Getty Images Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has harshly criticized Israel and praised Hamas as “freedom fighters.” Reuters
Erdogan has also criticized the West for its strong support for Israel and has accused the country of committing “war crimes” in the Gaza Strip.
“Israel has openly committed war crimes for 22 days, but Western leaders cannot ask Israel for a ceasefire, let alone respond to it,” Erdogan said on Oct. 28.
Last weekend, Erdogan denounced the United Nations Security Council, calling it the “Council for the Protection and Defense of Israel” after the US vetoed an immediate ceasefire resolution.
The vote on the resolution was 13-1, with the United Kingdom abstaining. The US is one of five permanent members with veto power, and used a ‘no’ vote to water down the measure.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
