Erdogan calls for stronger international response to Israeli occupation

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday called for a more assertive response from the international community, particularly the United Nations, regarding Israel’s occupation policies. His remarks came in a video message delivered to the Global Call on the Summit of the Future online event.

In his address, Erdogan greeted heads of state, government leaders, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, emphasizing the upcoming Summit of the Future as a critical moment for global collaboration. The Turkish president framed the summit as an opportunity to tackle ongoing global crises, including conflict, oppression, hunger, and poverty.

Erdogan urged participants to take full advantage of the platform offered by Guterres and reiterated the importance of peace in securing a prosperous future. He pointed to issues like terrorism, xenophobia, and climate change as significant challenges facing the world, with the situation in Gaza serving as a stark illustration of the devastation caused by geopolitical tensions.

“We are facing a situation where more than 41,000 people have lost their lives, including 17,000 children, over 100,000 people are injured, and nearly all of Gaza has been destroyed,” Erdogan said, referring to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.

Erdogan underscored the need for a stronger international response, particularly from the UN, against Israel’s actions. “In the face of Israel’s occupation policies, it is imperative that the international community, particularly the UN, raises its voice more strongly. In a world where children are dying from bombs, I openly say that none of us can feel safe,” he added.

The Turkish president reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to standing with the oppressed, stating, “As Türkiye, we will continue to stand against oppression and alongside the oppressed, and we will not step back from this humanitarian stance.”

Erdogan also called for a reformed global governance system that better represents both developed and developing nations, advocating for a focus on green transformation, climate resilience, and sustainable development. He stressed the importance of ensuring that no one is left behind in these efforts.

“We must protect our democracies against all forms of hate speech, racism, and extreme right movements that poison our societies,” Erdogan said, emphasizing the need to reshape multilateral systems with a focus on justice.