Palestinian leader Abbas to address world on Gaza conflict from Turkish Parliament

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is visiting Ankara from Aug. 14 to 15 at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The visit is significant, as Abbas is expected to address the ongoing Israeli attacks on Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza, during his speech at the Turkish Parliament on Aug. 15.

Before addressing the Turkish Parliament, President Abbas will meet with President Erdogan and Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus. The leaders are also scheduled to visit a Palestine-themed photo exhibition in the parliament building.

Demonstrating Türkiye’s support

The extraordinary parliamentary session, held during the recess, aims to “demonstrate Türkiye’s strong support for the Palestinian people and their cause and to amplify the voice of the oppressed Palestinians worldwide,” Kurtulmus states.

Abbas’ two-day visit to Türkiye begins on Wednesday, featuring a meeting with Erdogan on the first day, followed by his parliamentary address the next day.

‘Abbas should apologize’

Abbas’ visit to Ankara follows criticism from Erdogan. The Turkish president had previously expressed frustration over Abbas’ failure to visit Türkiye despite an invitation, even calling for an apology. Erdogan made these remarks during a speech in Rize at the end of July, where he criticized Abbas for not attending as expected.

Erdogan remarked earlier, “Mr. Abbas, who did not come despite our invitation, should first apologize to us. We invited him, but he didn’t come. We are waiting to see if he will come.”

Türkiye had previously sharply criticized American congressmen for inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the U.S. Congress and giving him a standing ovation. The invitation to Abbas comes after this.

Meanwhile, in early August, Erdogan revealed plans to invite both Abbas and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh to Ankara. While Abbas’ visit was confirmed, the inclusion of Haniyeh in the visit was disrupted by news of his assassination in Iran.

Abbas’ international diplomacy efforts

On the other hand, before arriving in Türkiye, Abbas held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

During their meeting, Putin underscored the importance of adhering to U.N. resolutions and advocated for the establishment of a Palestinian state as the only viable solution for lasting peace in the region.

Türkiye’s Position on Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

Türkiye advocates for a resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the United Nations’ two-state solution plan. It calls for the recognition of an independent Palestinian state with its capital in Jerusalem and territorial integrity within the 1967 borders.

Key demands and actions:

1. Israeli withdrawal: Türkiye demands Israel withdraw from occupied Palestinian territories and end the blockade on Gaza.
2. Humanitarian aid: Türkiye is a leading provider of humanitarian aid to Gaza, offering electricity, food, and clean water to civilians affected by Israeli attacks.
3. Humanitarian diplomacy: Türkiye is actively engaged in international diplomatic efforts to address the crisis and support Palestinian civilians.