Erdoğan: We Must Lead the Way for Muslim Countries in Taking Steps Against Israel
Forex - President Erdoğan, in his speech at the Extraordinary Joint Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League, stated, “As Islamic countries, we must take the lead in steps that can be taken against Israel. First and foremost, it is crucial to impose an arms embargo on Israel, to terminate trade with Israel, and to isolate Israel internationally until its aggression ceases.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke during the opening session of the summit held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Noting the significance of holding the summit in Riyadh, President Erdoğan thanked Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and pointed out that 50,000 Palestinians have been martyred in the massacres conducted by Israel in Gaza and other Palestinian territories, 70% of whom are women and children. He also mentioned that among the martyrs are politicians, resistance leaders, and those from Hamas’s political wing who strive for ceasefire and peace.
“It is imperative that we find urgent solutions for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza,” President Erdoğan further stated. He expressed condolences to the martyrs and prayed for the wounded. He continued, “While the Netanyahu government escalates military tension against Iran, it continues its attacks against Lebanon. Israel cannot tolerate even humanitarian aid reaching Gaza and has been holding the dispatched relief materials in Egypt for months. As we focus on achieving an immediate ceasefire, we must urgently find solutions for delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. Turkey has sent over 84,000 tons of aid to Gaza so far and is ready to send much more once the blockades are lifted.”
Continuing, President Erdoğan said, “Recently, the Israeli parliament aimed to eliminate the two-state solution by banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), obstructing the return of Palestinian refugees to their homeland. Israel’s goal is to settle in Gaza, eliminate the Palestinian presence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and ultimately annex it. There is a gradual movement toward this, and we must prevent it.”
“It is extremely important to isolate Israel internationally,” President Erdoğan added. “While a handful of Western countries provide all kinds of military, political, economic, and moral support to Israel, unfortunately, the inadequate reaction of Muslim countries has led to the situation on the ground reaching this point. It is extraordinarily important that we continue our initiatives in coordination to take particularly compelling measures against those committing genocide in Palestine based on international law and UN conditions. We cannot allow the differences in our views and positions to be a hindrance to our common causes. We sincerely wish for our Palestinian brothers to achieve national unity among themselves, and we encourage this as well. Dear brothers; as Islamic countries, we must take the lead in steps that can be taken against Israel. It is extremely important that an arms embargo is applied to Israel, trade is terminated, and that Israel is isolated internationally until its aggression ceases. Our initiative to halt arms sales to Israel has received support from 52 countries and two international organizations, including two permanent members of the Security Council.”
President Erdoğan pointed out the need to encourage the maximum number of countries, especially members of the organization, to intervene in the case opened by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice. He stated, “As Turkey, we have enacted trade restrictions against Israel. We are ready to implement all concrete and realistic proposals that will make the Netanyahu government feel the costs of its occupation of Palestinian lands.”
“We must encourage more countries to recognize the State of Palestine,” President Erdoğan asserted. He mentioned that the United Nations General Assembly adopted the decision regarding the implementation of the advisory ruling of the International Court of Justice on Palestine on September 18, stating it is important to closely monitor its implementation. He added, “We all see the impossibility of reaching a two-state solution by seeking the consent of the current Israeli government. Under these circumstances, we must encourage more countries to recognize the State of Palestine. Since October 7, nine more countries have recognized the State of Palestine. I believe we will see the days when the State of Palestine becomes a member of the United Nations by overcoming the resistance in the Security Council.”
Evaluating the participation of over 90 countries in the International Alliance Meeting held in Riyadh on October 30-31 to advance the two-state solution as a hopeful development, President Erdoğan prayed that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League will show the world that they stand united and strong on the Palestinian issue, urging that the decisions taken be completely observed by all countries. He concluded his address by wishing that the outcomes of the meeting would be beneficial for the Palestinian and Lebanese people and thanked everyone who contributed to the organization of the meeting.