Hamas Leaders Criticize Celebrity Doctor Mehmet Oz Over Israel Visit
by Zach Pontz
Not everyone is pleased with television personality, medical doctor and Turk Dr. Mehmet Oz’s recent visit to the Holy Land.
According to anonymous blogger Elder of Ziyon, Egypt’s Youm7 reports that some prominent Palestinian Arabs are condemning the visit.
“A member of the Hamas Legislative Council described the visit as ‘support of the occupier of Arab and Islamic land, and sending a dangerous message to support Israeli settlements,'” writes Elder.
“Another MP, Mariam Saleh, said, ‘Israel used this visit to discredit Turkish history, and try to send a message that Turkey and Israel have a strong relationship, as opposed to the popular and official view in Turkey that supports Palestinians against Israeli plans,'” Elder adds.
“In addition, ‘[Oz] talks about the humanitarian aspects of health, but it is clear that his message is different during his visit to the Palestinian territories by supporting the killer of humanity, and expressing solidarity with the murderers of Palestinian children through direct killing of tens of thousands at the hands of the Israelis,'” the MP claimed.
Oz, a practicing Muslim of Turkish heritage, has been in Israel for the past week with his wife and four children on a trip organized and hosted by American celebrity rabbi, Shmuley Boteach, who runs a nonprofit group devoted to promoting Jewish values.
During the trip Oz met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, participated in a Jerusalem panel discussion on Jewish values that included Jewish Agency chairman Natan Sharansky, and even partook in a dance routine with Jewish settlers in Hebron.