Erdogan accuses Trump of planning 2nd Nakba against Palestinian people

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan once again strongly criticized Israel’s military operations in Gaza and called for accountability in a speech delivered during his official visit to Malaysia.

Speaking at the Türkiye-Malaysia Strategic Cooperation in the New Century meeting, Erdogan underscored his government’s opposition to what he described as Israel’s disregard for international law and its continued attacks on Palestinian civilians.

Erdogan denounces Israeli policies in Gaza

President Erdogan accused Israel of maintaining an aggressive stance and violating international legal norms. “We see that Israel continues its lawless and reckless behavior,” he said.

He dismissed any proposals to forcibly remove Palestinians from Gaza, calling such plans unacceptable. “The idea of exiling Gaza’s population cannot be taken seriously. No one has the power to impose a second Nakba on the Palestinian people,” Erdogan stated, referencing the 1948 mass displacement of Palestinians.

The Nakba, which means “catastrophe” in Arabic, refers to the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. Before the Nakba, Palestine was a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society.

Türkiye’s humanitarian efforts and trade embargo

Highlighting Türkiye’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Erdogan noted that his country has sent over 100,000 tons of aid while also severing trade ties with Israel in protest of the ongoing violence.

“We have made our stance clear by completely halting trade with Israel. Beyond sending humanitarian aid, we have exerted every effort to ensure those responsible for these attacks face justice,” he said.

President Erdogan also revealed that Türkiye had faced threats for its actions but remained steadfast. “For 15 months, we have been under pressure and threats, yet we have never bowed. We have never abandoned our Palestinian brothers and sisters,” he added.

Call for Israeli accountability and reconstruction of Gaza

Erdogan reiterated that Israel should be held responsible for the destruction in Gaza.

“Israeli authorities must first be charged for the destruction they have caused. The reconstruction of Gaza should begin with the funds collected from Israel,” he stated.

He emphasized that the financial cost of rebuilding Gaza is estimated to be around $100 billion, a sum that he insisted should be paid by Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

“Rather than searching for new places to exile Gazans, Netanyahu should focus on securing the $100 billion needed to repair the devastation he has caused,” Erdogan declared.

Economic and strategic relations with Malaysia

Turning to Türkiye’s relations with Malaysia, Erdogan highlighted the economic progress between the two nations. “In 2024, our trade volume with Malaysia has exceeded $1 billion,” he said, signaling stronger economic ties. Erdogan also emphasized the need for a global order based on justice and security.

“We must believe in a world governed by peace, not conflict; by trust, not fear; by stability, not terrorism,” he remarked.

Need for new global order

Erdogan criticized the current state of global competition and governance, describing the world as increasingly unstable. “We are witnessing a period of regional and global shifts. The current global system is failing. We need a new global order that upholds justice,” he asserted.

He also reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to standing by oppressed nations, particularly in the Muslim world. “A system that excludes the voices of over 2 billion Muslims cannot claim to represent justice,” Erdogan argued. He praised Malaysia’s strong stance against Islamophobia and expressed confidence in deepening bilateral cooperation.

Türkiye’s support for Palestinian rights

Erdogan reiterated Türkiye’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and commitment to international advocacy.

“From day one of the massacres in Gaza, we have worked tirelessly to expose Israel’s state terrorism on all platforms,” he said. “By cutting trade ties and sending humanitarian aid, we have made our stance clear.”

He further stressed that international institutions had failed to hold Israel accountable. “The UN Security Council has remained silent in the face of Israel’s atrocities. Western nations have failed this moral test,” Erdogan said, adding that 471 days of suffering in Gaza had exposed deep flaws in the global order.