“The Western world has once again failed the test of humanity in Gaza”
Holding a press conference following the Presidential Cabinet Meeting, President Erdoğan said: “As was the case yesterday, Türkiye continues to stand with its Palestinian brothers and sisters today as well, doing unconditionally what this requires. However, the Western world, particularly European countries, has once again failed the test of humanity in Gaza. Look, children have been dying, women have been dying, and hospitals have been being bombarded for 25 days.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a press conference following the Presidential Cabinet Meeting at the Presidential Complex.
Making remarks on the issues addressed during the Cabinet Meeting, President Erdoğan said: “With the Grand Palestine Rally we held at Atatürk Airport on October 28, we showed that we stand with our Gazan brothers and sisters. The rally, attended by over 1.5 million people, was closely followed in many parts of the world, particularly in Israel. A protector of innocents and victims, our country demonstrated its sensitivity on this issue in a very strong manner.
“PREVENTING THE GAZA MASSACRE IS OUR TOP PRIORITY”
People with ethics, conscience and sensitivity took to the streets in different places of the world from London to Paris, New York to Berlin, Pakistan to Lebanon on Sunday for the Gazan innocents. To us, it is very valuable that such reactions arise in Western countries which forbid, in the name of solidarity with Israel, not only rallies but even the Palestinian flag. I hereby once again offer my gratitude to party chairpersons, artists, foreign guests and over 1.5 million brave people who participated in the rally in Istanbul and rose up for Gaza.
Preventing this massacre, now in its 25th day, is our top priority. To this end, a ceasefire should be declared first and then the path to a permanent peace should be cleared. We are of the opinion that a ‘Palestine-Israel International Peace Conference,’ to be held with the participation of all the relevant parties, will serve as the most appropriate platform in this direction. We think that the establishment of a new security mechanism in cooperation with the regional actors is necessary. We are ready to take responsibility if such a step is taken. Our goal is to get our region out of this maelstrom, into which it has been dragged.
“WE ENDEAVOR TO DEFEND OUR GAZAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS WITH ALL OUR MEANS”
While working to end the war through diplomatic methods, we are also endeavoring to defend our Gazan brothers and sisters with all our means. We have thus far dispatched 10 planeloads of aid supplies to Al-Arish Airport in coordination with Egyptian authorities. We have sent our 54 officials, including doctors, healthcare professionals, AFAD and Red Crescent personnel, and members of the press to the region. The aid supplies sent by our country, some of which have already reached our Gazan brothers and sisters, total nearly 213 tones. As more and more humanitarian aid trucks are allowed into Gaza through the Rafah gate, we will increase our aid concurrently.
It is important that the international community exert pressure on the Israeli administration to keep the Rafah gate open. As was the case yesterday, Türkiye continues to stand with its Palestinian brothers and sisters today as well, doing unconditionally what this requires. However, the Western world, particularly European countries, has once again failed the test of humanity in Gaza.
Look, children have been dying, women have been dying, and hospitals have been being bombarded for 25 days. 2.3 million innocent Gazans in 360 square kilometers have been struggling to survive for 25 days. All the humanitarian attributes have been being exterminated one by one in Gaza for 25 days.
“HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS REMAIN INDIFFERENT TO THE CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY”
However, the European Union cannot even call for ceasefire, let alone condemn Israel. International media outlets cannot utter even one single critical sentence even though over 34 colleagues of theirs have been massacred in Gaza. So much so that, they, in unison, are unscrupulously seeking excuses for Israel’s atrocity. The United Nations Security Council stands idly by as the UN bodies and personnel are being targeted in Gaza. Human rights organizations remain indifferent to the crimes that have been being committed against humanity for 25 days. In short, those who cause quite a stir when the issue is Türkiye and the Islamic world prefer to lie low in the face of war crimes committed by Israel.
Let me say it openly that those who are bystanders to deaths of thousands of Gazan children today will have no credibility for anything they might say on any topic tomorrow. What matters is to speak up in tough times and tell the truth. No good can come to humanity or the world from the so-called human rights defenders who remain silent about Israel's massacres. This is what we believe in and act accordingly.
We never bow down to threats, no matter from whom they come, and never hesitate to cry out the truth. We will inshallah maintain our firm and determined stance.”
