Turkish Lawmaker Who Collapsed While Criticizing Israel Is Dead

Hasan Bitmez, a 54-year-old opposition lawmaker from the Felicity (Saadet) Party in Turkey, passed away on Thursday, two days after experiencing a heart attack during a parliamentary session. Bitmez, who had been delivering a speech critical of the government’s stance on Israel, collapsed in front of the parliament.

A graduate of Cairo’s Al Azhar University and the chairman of the Centre for Islamic Union Research, Bitmez was known for his involvement with Islamic non-governmental organizations. His sudden demise occurred at Ankara City Hospital.

The tragic incident unfolded during an official parliamentary broadcast, capturing the moment Bitmez, standing at the podium before the general assembly, collapsed to the floor after concluding his speech. The late MP had been vocal in his critique of President Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party for maintaining trade ties with Israel amid the conflict in Gaza, despite the government’s strong verbal condemnation of Israel’s military actions.

Bitmez, a devoted family man and father of one, garnered attention when he fell backward after completing his speech, prompting fellow MPs to rush to his aid. Subsequent medical examination, including an angiography, revealed complete blockage in the two main veins of his heart.

As a member of the small Islamist Saadet Party, Bitmez had aligned with the main opposition bloc supporting challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu in the May presidential elections against Erdogan, who ultimately secured victory. The alliance’s agreement allowed Saadet deputies, such as Bitmez, to secure parliamentary seats by being included on the main opposition party lists.

The untimely demise of Hasan Bitmez leaves a void in Turkish politics, and his contributions to Islamic research and advocacy will be remembered by those who worked alongside him.