Forcibly displacing Gazans no solution: Turkish Minister Uraloglu
People ride in the back of a horse-drawn cart along the Wadi Gaza bridge along al-Rashid street across between Gaza City and Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on Feb. 10, 2025. (AFP Photo)
Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, stated that a solution cannot be achieved by forcibly displacing Gazans and emphasized that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken a firm stance on the issue.
Türkiye opposes forced displacement in Gaza
Speaking in Geneva during the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Inland Transport Committee’s 87th session, Uraloglu addressed concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to take over Gaza and relocate its Palestinian population.
“President Erdogan has shown clear leadership on this matter from the very beginning,” Uraloglu said. “A solution cannot be produced by displacing Gazans from their homeland. The president has expressed a firm stance, and this is significant.”
Uraloglu noted that several countries have voiced opposition to Trump’s approach, calling it an important indicator of international sentiment on the issue.
Türkiye’s broader engagement in Geneva
Uraloglu, who co-chaired two sessions alongside the Netherlands, highlighted the significance of regional and global collaboration in transportation policies.
“We discussed green energy, digitalization, environmental concerns, and reducing carbon emissions. These discussions underline the necessity of intelligent transport systems and artificial intelligence-driven infrastructure investments,” he said.
The minister also pointed out the challenges posed by delays in customs and visa procedures, stressing the importance of streamlining logistics operations.
“If a truck driver is waiting at the border, development and transportation are at a standstill. Everyone agrees on this, but it’s not enough to agree—we need action.”
Türkiye’s position on Gaza, two-state solution
In the Gaza conflict, Uraloglu reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for a two-state solution, with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.
He expressed gratitude for Erdogan’s leadership in addressing the crisis, saying, “Our president has taken every possible initiative to ensure that Gazans are not displaced from their homeland.”
Uraloglu also emphasized that international opposition to Trump’s plan further validates Türkiye’s stance.
“Since Trump’s initial remarks on this, many countries have expressed their disagreement. This reinforces our position and demonstrates that Türkiye has stood on the right side of history,” Uraloglu added.
