In a powerful address to the 79th United Nations General Assembly, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned both the United Nations and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their roles in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Erdoğan’s speech, delivered on Tuesday, marked a stark denunciation of international inaction and raised serious allegations against Israel, reported the New York Times.
Erdoğan opened his remarks by expressing satisfaction at Palestine’s recognition among member states, hoping it would lead to full membership. He reiterated his well-known assertion that “the world is bigger than five,” criticizing the UN Security Council’s dominance by its five permanent members. “International justice cannot be left in the hands of five privileged states,” he asserted, citing Gaza as a key example of this failure.
He detailed the significant loss of life in Gaza, highlighting the impact on women, children, and humanitarian workers. Erdoğan accused Israel of deliberately targeting hospitals, schools, and ambulances, claiming these actions represent a gross violation of international law.
Drawing stark comparisons, Erdoğan likened the conditions faced by Palestinians in Israel to concentration camps, describing Gaza as “the world’s largest cemetery for women and children.” He recounted the tragic story of a six-year-old girl killed in the conflict to illustrate the human cost of the violence.
The Turkish president condemned Israel’s actions as ethnic cleansing and a “clear genocide,” asserting that such violations must not go unpunished. He characterized the Palestinian resistance as a noble and legitimate struggle against occupation, while criticizing countries that unconditionally support Israel for enabling its aggression.
Erdoğan called for a united global response to stop what he described as Netanyahu’s “murder network,” likening the need for action against Israel to the historical alliance that halted Hitler’s regime. He demanded that the UN Security Council’s resolution 2735, which calls for a ceasefire, be acted upon, and suggested that coercive measures against Israel should be considered.
While expressing Turkey’s long-standing welcome to Jewish communities fleeing persecution, Erdoğan reiterated his government’s opposition to the policies of the Israeli government, emphasizing that his statements are rooted in a commitment to truth and justice, regardless of discomfort they may cause.
The Turkish leader concluded with a strong commitment to continue advocating for what he deemed right and just, reinforcing Turkey’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict amidst ongoing tensions.
