Republican presidential candidate, Texas governor Rick Perry questioned Turkey’s membership in NATO saying the country is ruled by “what many would perceive to be Islamic terrorists”.

Speaking during the presidential debate in South Carolina, Perry was asked whether Turkey still belongs in NATO.

“Well, obviously when you have a country that is being ruled by, what many would perceive to be Islamic terrorists, when you start seeing that type of activity against their own citizens, then yes. Not only is it time for us to have a conversation about whether or not they belong to be in NATO, but it’s time for the United States, when we look at their foreign aid, to go to zero with it,” he said during the debate broadcasted by Fox News.