Turkish Opposition MP Dies After Heart Attack During Anti-Israel Speech

Hasan Bitmez Criticized Government's Policy Towards Israel in Parliament Speech Before Collapsing

Turkish opposition legislator Hasan Bitmez, a member of the Islamist Saadet Partisi, or Felicity Party, died in an Ankara hospital two days after suffering a heart attack during a speech in parliament.
Bitmez's speech criticized the Turkish government’s policy towards Israel and accused the government of continuing friendly economic relations with Israel during its assault on Gaza.
Bitmez collapsed at the lectern of the Turkish Grand National Assembly on Tuesday after speaking for some 20 minutes. He was rushed to the hospital in “extremely serious and critical” condition.
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced that Bitmez's heart stopped beating, but he was revived in parliament and taken in extremely critical condition to the local hospital, where he was put on life support.
A small ceremony was held for Bitmez on the grounds of the parliament building Thursday. A small Palestinian flag was attached to his coffin, which was draped in the Turkish flag.