Prime Minister Scott Morrison intends to summon Turkey’s ambassador and demand an explanation after comments by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that cited the Gallipoli campaign. In scathing comments, Mr Erdogan warned Australian and NZ citizens who came to Turkey with anti-Muslim sentiments that they would be sent back in coffins, and he also criticised Anzacs for their role in Gallipoli.
Mr Erdogan has been using excerpts of the video taken by the attacker and posted on social media during the mosque shootings and showing these clips during his tours around Turkey as part of his campaign ahead of local elections in Turkey this month. “Your grandparents came here and they returned in caskets,” said Mr Erdogan in a message to Australia and New Zealand. He said that the motive of Anzacs was anti-Islam oriented.
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Mr Morrison said he was “very offended” by the comments. “I don’t find these comments very helpful,” he said.
“I don’t find them very accurate or truthful as well, because the actions of the Australian and New Zealand governments have been consistent with our values of welcoming and supporting people from all around the world.”
The comments made by Mr Erdogan came in the wake of Mr Tarrant’s rampage in Christchurch. The lone gunman is facing murder charges in New Zealand after he opened fire at two Christchurch mosques during prayers on Friday killing 50 people and leaving dozens injured.