The terrorist attack in Nice shocked the world. Just 2 weeks after a teacher was beheaded near Paris.

But why is this happening?

On the 2nd of October, France was the first country to condemn Erdogan’s international politics of destabilization (France24). 

As described by The Jerusalem Post, “A terrorist attack at a church in France on Thursday followed a week of Turkish incitement, including the use of mass media in Turkey to push for retaliation against France.”

For months, Erdogan has been strengthening his ties with Islamic terrorist organizations. From hosting Hamas leaders at his palace, to funding Syrian jihadists to wage war in Europe.

And now, just for speaking up against Erdogan’s abuse of power, Erdogan has brought his battle to us — France is under attack.

French citizens are standing up for our eternal values of liberty, equality, and fraternity. Something which Erdogan has ensured his people in Turkey do not have.

We are proud to have given to the world Voltaire, Diderot, Sartre, Descartes, Dumas, Médecins Sans Frontières,… It was in France that the world signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, inspired by our 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

We led Europe and the world toward a safer, democratic, and freer life. We are the place where everyone can realize their full potential and be recognized for who they are. People come from everywhere to live in France for this reason.

Erdogan’s Turkey is one of the least free countries on Earth. For decades, Freedom House has studied the politics of Turkey and proved that it is not free. Out of 210 countries, it is 159th. Unsurprisingly, it is also the 154th least press-friendly country, with over 60 journalists killed and over 100 jailed for their views against the Turkish regime.

These are the values Erdogan wants to promote across Europe. These are the freedoms he is trying to scare us into giving up.

Erdogan is using his own conflict with the French president to incite hatred in Muslims across the world. Not in defense of Islam, but as a “distraction from the woes of the Turkish economy.” (Financial Times).

“The goal of Turkey is to create a crisis with France and leverage young people who are susceptible to radicalization to carry out attacks as a way of trying to force Paris to do what Ankara wants.” (The Jerusalem Post)

Erdogan has stirred hatred for French citizens and Europeans, claiming the French president “needs treatment on a mental level.” But he took it too far by inspiring outright attacks among radical Islamists when he called for violence against all Europeans:

“If Europe continues this way, no European in any part of the world can walk safely on the streets. Europe will be damaged by this.” Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Reuters)

But as French citizens, we won’t let him. We won’t fight hatred with more hatred. We won’t cause further provocations. Terrorists operate thanks to the funding from terrorist-friendly states like Turkey. We will use our powerful and effective non-violent tools to cut Erdogan’s financing, so that he will never be able to cut off our heads again.

We are a strong nation. We’ve been through wars, and now we want peace. 

Peace is civilisation. Peace is progress. Peace is freedom. Peace is for everyone.

But now, peace is challenged on our territory and in Europe. And we will stand for protecting lives and our civilisation, peacefully and firmly.

While Macron has refused to officially sanction Erdogan’s Turkey, Erdogan has already called for sanctions against France. 

But we still have the right to live freely and safely in our country. We have the right to choose who we support with our money. We are proud of France and the liberal democracy that grants us our freedoms, separate from religious extremism in all forms.

We say “NO” to Erdogan’s values, and “YES” to our French values. And will fight to keep him from exporting his oppression across the world.

We can’t stay silent. France can’t stay silent. And the world can’t stay silent. When our values are in danger, when our safety and freedom of speech is targeted — we must unite and stand up against our oppressors.

By signing this petition, we reaffirm that we do NOT support Erdogan’s foreign policy. We pledge to not purchase any Turkish-made products until he stops inciting hatred against Christians by Muslims.

Sign this petition now, and let Erdogan know that you do NOT support his radical terrorism.