You are here

Turkish lawmaker who suffered heart attack after saying Israel will suffer 'the wrath of God' has died

A Turkish lawmaker, who suffered a heart attack on the floor of parliament immediately after he gave a speech saying Israel would "not be able to escape the wrath of God" for its war in Gaza, has died.

Hasan Bitmez, 53, a member of parliament from the Islamist Saadet Partisi, or Felicity Party, died Thursday at the Ankara City Hospital, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced. The death came days after Bitmez collapsed at the Turkish Grand National Assembly on Tuesday immediately after criticizing the Turkish government’s policy regarding the Israel-Hamas war.

In a translated version of his speech on Tuesday, Bitmez said, "Even if history remains silent, the truth will not remain silent. They think that if they get rid of us, there will be no problem. However, if you get rid of us, you will not be able to escape the torment of conscience. Even if you escape the torment of history, you will not be able to escape the wrath of God."