In a dramatic turn of events, Turkish lawmaker Hasan Bitmez, 53, suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on the floor of the Turkish National Assembly on Tuesday. The incident occurred moments after he delivered a harsh critique of his country’s response to the Israel-Hamas war.
Bitmez, who serves as the deputy head of Turkey’s Felicity Party, was addressing the Grand Assembly of the Turkish National Assembly when he suddenly collapsed. The shocking footage shows him falling to the ground as concerned onlookers rushed to his side to provide assistance.
Bitmez’s heart reportedly stopped in the Parliament but was later restarted. He is diabetic and received two stents in his heart after an angiography at a local hospital. He is believed to be in critical condition.
Before his collapse, Bitmez criticized the Turkish government for having “endless love for Israel” and accused Israel of crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.
Lawmakers from the Justice and Development Party, led by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, responded to Bitmez’s criticism by blaming his condition on “God’s wrath,” according to the minutes from the session.
While Turkey condemned Israeli citizen deaths caused by Hamas’ surprise Oct. 7 incursion, President Erdogan referred to Hamas as “freedom fighters” just days after the attack. Erdogan has also criticized the West for its strong support of Israel and accused the nation of committing “war crimes” in the Gaza Strip.
Over the past weekend, Erdogan denounced the United Nations Security Council, calling it the “Israel Protection and Defense Council” after the United States vetoed an immediate cease-fire resolution. The vote on the resolution was 13-1, with the United Kingdom abstaining.
The Bible has much to say about those who attack Israel, with numerous passages discussing the consequences of such actions. In the Old Testament, we see God’s unwavering commitment to protect and defend Israel, often through divine intervention or the use of other nations as instruments of judgment.
For example, in the book of Isaiah, it is written, “For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly destroyed” (Isa. 60:12). This verse highlights the divine protection that God promises to Israel, and the fate of those who would dare to attack it.
In the New Testament, we see a shift in focus towards spiritual warfare and the importance of prayer in the face of adversity. In Ephesians 6:12, it is stated, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” This passage encourages believers to rely on God’s strength and protection in times of conflict, rather than resorting to violence or retaliation.
The parallels between these biblical passages and current events are striking. As we witness the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, it is important to remember that the Bible has much to say about the protection of Israel and the consequences of attacking it. Whether through divine intervention or the power of prayer, we can find solace in the fact that God remains committed to the safety and well-being of His chosen people.
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James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.
Charisma Staff