"As Islamic countries, we must lead the steps against Israel,"
"As Islamic countries, we must lead the steps against Israel,"
"As Islamic countries, we must lead the steps against Israel," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in his speech at the Emergency Joint Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States. "First of all, it is extremely important to impose an arms embargo on Israel, stop trade with Israel and isolate it in the international arena until its aggression stops," he added.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke at the opening of an Emergency Joint Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States, which was held in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh.
The President thanked King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia for hosting the summit in Riyadh and noted that 50,000 Palestinians, 70% of whom are women and children, were killed as a result of Israeli attacks in Gaza and other Palestinian territories. Among the dead were politicians, resistance leaders and representatives of the political wing of Hamas, who were trying to achieve a truce and peace.
"URGENT SOLUTIONS MUST BE FOUND TO DELIVER HUMANITARIAN AID TO GAZA"
Expressing condolences to the dead and wishing a speedy recovery to the wounded, Erdogan continued: "On the one hand, the Netanyahu government is increasing military tensions with Iran, and on the other hand, it continues attacks on Lebanon. Israel cannot even tolerate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and humanitarian supplies have been waiting in Egypt for months. We must focus not only on an immediate ceasefire, but also on finding urgent solutions for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. While we are focused on an immediate ceasefire, it is imperative that we find urgent solutions for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. At the moment, Turkey has sent more than 84,000 tons of aid to Gaza and is ready to send even more when the restrictions are lifted."
"The Israeli parliament recently banned the activities of the United Nations relief agency UNRWA in an effort to eliminate the two-State solution and prevent the return of Palestinian refugees to their homeland," President Erdogan said. "Israel's goal is to seize Gaza, destroy the Palestinian presence in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and eventually annex these territories. We see this happening step by step, and we must prevent it," President Erdogan concluded.
"ISRAEL'S İNTERNATIONAL ISOLATION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT"
President Erdogan noted: "A few Western countries provide Israel with comprehensive support — military, political, economic and moral, while Muslim countries do not respond enough, which, unfortunately, has led to such a situation on the battlefield. It is important that we continue our efforts, coordinated within the framework of international law and the United Nations, to apply coercive measures against those who committed the crimes of genocide in Palestine. We cannot allow differences in our views and positions to become an obstacle to our common affairs. We sincerely hope that the Palestinians will be able to establish national unity within themselves, and we actively support them in this. Dear brothers, as Islamic countries, we must lead the steps against Israel. First of all, it is extremely important to impose an arms embargo on Israel, stop trading with it and isolate Israel in the international arena until its aggression stops. Our initiatives, including those involving two permanent members of the UN Security Council, are supported by 52 countries and two international organizations."
President Erdogan noted that the participation of as many countries as possible, especially members of the Organization, should be encouraged in the case filed against Israel in the International Court of Justice by South Africa, stating: "Turkey has already implemented commercial restrictions against Israel. We are ready to implement all concrete and realistic proposals that can make the Netanyahu government feel the price of the occupation of the Palestinian territories."
"RECOGNITION OF THE PALESTİNİAN STATE BY A LARGE NUMBER OF COUNTRIES SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED"
President Erdogan also noted that on September 18, the UN General Assembly adopted a decision on Palestine in connection with the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, and stressed that it is important to closely monitor the implementation of this decision. He also added: "We all see the impossibility of achieving a two-state solution through seeking agreement with the current Israeli government. In these circumstances, we must encourage the recognition of a Palestinian State by an increasing number of countries. Since October 7, nine more countries have recognized the Palestinian State. I believe that we will see the day when the Palestinian State becomes a member of the United Nations, overcoming resistance in the Security Council."
Considering the participation of more than 90 countries in the International Alliance meeting held in Riyadh on October 30-31 to promote a two-state solution as a promising event, President Erdogan said: "I pray to God that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States will show the whole world that they are one voice and one heart on the Palestinian issue, and I hope that all countries will strictly follow the decisions that will be taken. Concluding my statement, I would like to wish that the results of today's meeting would be useful for the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples, and I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the organization of the meeting."