“Türkiye is ready to do whatever it takes for Gaza’s revival”
Addressing TRT World Forum, President Erdoğan said: “The ceasefire’s continuation, our Gazan brothers and sisters’ access to humanitarian aid, and transition to the phase of Gaza’s revival can be secured only by forcing Israel to do all this. Türkiye is ready to do whatever it takes for Gaza’s immediate revival.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a speech at the TRT World Forum in Istanbul.
“THE CURRENT SYSTEM DOES NOT COMPLY WITH TODAY’S REALITIES AND NECESSITIES”
President Erdoğan said: “Each passing day reveals the need to build a fairer, more inclusive, and more embracing global system. Wars, conflicts, inequalities, and injustices have virtually occupied the agenda of all humanity. The current system, established by the victors of the Second World War, unfortunately, does not comply with today’s realities and necessities. The United Nations fails to produce solutions to humanity’s common problems due to the unjust decision-making structure of its Security Council. Although both the problems and the ways to solve them are often evident, innocent people continue to die in many parts of the world. As Türkiye, we state that the fate of humanity cannot be left to the mercy of five countries, and that is why we say, ‘the World is bigger than five’.”
“It is evident that the system, which is late to reach a decision even in the most tragic humanitarian crises and in the most flagrant violations of human rights, needs fresh ideas, new contributions and, without doubt, a kind of restructuring that reflects the day. We have all followed what has unfolded in Gaza for the past two years. The Israeli government has martyred 70 thousand Gazans, including over 20 thousand children, in the last two years. Our over 170 thousand Palestinian brothers and sisters have been wounded in Israel’s attacks. There is almost not one single standing structure left in Gaza, where schools, churches, mosques and hospitals were deliberately bombed. Yet, what are they still saying? ‘Israel is innocent.’ How come so? Israel has nuclear weapons. Israel has the most powerful bombs. Israel has the capability to strike Gaza as it wishes. How come Israel is innocent!”
“INSTITUTIONS IN CHARGE OF PROTECTING GLOBAL PEACE AND STABILITY HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY STEPS TO PREVENT THE GENOCIDE”
Stressing that Israel has weaponized famine particularly against children, President Erdoğan added that 270 journalists, risking their lives to let the world know about the facts on the ground despite Israel’s propaganda machine fueled by lies, have been murdered. “I regret to say that in the face of all these incidents, institutions in charge of protecting global peace and stability, have not taken any steps to stop the atrocities, prevent the genocide, and save children’s lives. Even the General Assembly resolutions reached with overwhelming majority have been sacrificed to the calculations of self-interest at the Security Council. It is impossible to understand or make sense of this.”
“As you know, following two years of oppression, a ceasefire agreement has been reached between Hamas and Israel in recent weeks, through our facilitation as well. Our Gazan brothers and sisters have thus started to breathe a sigh of relief for the first time. We see that Hamas takes diligence to comply with the agreement. Israel, however, is looking for excuses to violate the agreement and resume its atrocities. The day before yesterday, it once again martyred over 100 Gazans, mostly children. Everyone knows well Israel’s terrible record in keeping its promises. Therefore, the ceasefire’s continuation, our Gazan brothers and sisters’ access to humanitarian aid, and transition to the phase of Gaza’s revival can be secured only by forcing Israel to do all this. Türkiye is ready to do whatever it takes for Gaza’s immediate revival.”
“As we have done so far, we will continue to always stand with our Palestinian brothers and sisters, and will continue to support the two-state solution. In this regard, we highly value the recent decisions announced one after another to recognize Palestine. We call on the states that have not done so yet to take action and recognize the State of Palestine immediately.”
“WE TAKE INITIATIVES NOT ONLY IN GAZA BUT IN EVERY HUMANITARIAN CRISIS”
Drawing attention to Türkiye’s efforts for the establishment of peace, justice and solidarity all across the geography of its civilization, President Erdoğan went on: “As Türkiye, we take initiatives not only in Gaza but in every humanitarian crisis. We have assumed responsibilities since day one to find a solution through a just and lasting peace in the Russia-Ukraine war, which is about to enter its fourth year. In our talks with both Mr. Putin and Mr. Zelenskyy, we voiced our determination to provide all kinds of support for the establishment of ceasefire in the first stage, and then lasting peace. I hope that in the near future, a middle ground will be found between the parties, paving the way for the two neighboring peoples to live side by side in peace once again. Türkiye will continue to provide all kinds of contributions to achieve this.”
“Last year, we facilitated the settlement of the disputes that had the potential of evolving into a major crisis between Somalia and Ethiopia. We also played a prominent role in the solution of the crisis that broke out a couple of weeks ago between Afghanistan and Pakistan, both our brotherly countries. The mediation efforts undertaken by the National Intelligence Organization bore fruits in a short span of time as a manifestation of the confidence felt for our country, with the parties signing a ceasefire agreement. We wholeheartedly wish for this agreement to be permanent. I am saying sincerely that in today’s world, no country can afford to limit themselves to their national borders. Speaking geographically, no country has the option of remaining indifferent to the troubles unfolding in their own region, right next to them. Whether it be in Gaza, Afghanistan or Sudan, those rejecting to concern themselves with the death of innocents will, one way or another, see this is not the case at all. Those who, in an act of great selfishness, disregard the poverty, conflicts and crises taking place right across their borders cannot promise a bright future for their own children, let alone for the humanity. A tragic end awaits us all in a world in which every man is for himself. Do not forget that whoever keeps silent in the face of injustice is complicit in injustice. Consenting to oppression is oppression.”
“I would like to particularly underline that if children are still dying from Asia to Africa despite the communication revolution of the past 20 years, then we all have to question ourselves. I believe you, both as a human and as a journalist, are also following the recent horrific images coming from Sudan in recent days. No one with a conscience can accept or remain indifferent to the atrocities committed against the civilian people in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. As Türkiye, we strongly condemn, in the strongest terms, the atrocities committed against civilians in the city of El Fasher. The attacks carried out in El Fasher and its surrounding must be brought to an end, and the atrocities against innocent civilians must stop immediately. We are ready to do sincerely whatever our brotherly bonds necessitate on this issue. Our only wish is that the infighting stops and innocent children, women and civilians are not killed.”
