Türkiye hosts Palestine solidarity talks in Istanbul

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus met separately with his Malaysian and Palestinian counterparts in Istanbul on Saturday during a session of the Group of Parliaments in Support of Palestine, a Türkiye-led initiative aimed at uniting global legislative support against Israel’s war on Gaza.

Kurtulmus hailed his meeting with Malaysian House of Representatives Speaker Johari Abdul as productive, emphasizing their shared commitment to the Palestinian cause and to strengthening parliamentary ties between Türkiye and Malaysia.

“In our meeting, while strongly emphasizing our solidarity with the Palestinian cause, we also expressed our determination to further advance parliamentary relations between Türkiye and Malaysia,” Kurtulmus said on X. He praised Abdul’s visit as a step toward deepening bilateral cooperation.

He thanked Malaysia for its strong stance in support of Palestine and said the platform’s expanding dialogue could mobilize broader international backing for the Palestinian struggle, reinforcing the two-state solution as the only viable path to peace. Kurtulmus also underscored Malaysia’s growing influence in Asia, calling it a valued partner.

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus (R) shakes hands with Speaker of the Malaysian House of Representatives Tan Sri Dato Johari bin Abdul (L). — Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus (R) shakes hands with Speaker of the Malaysian House of Representatives Tan Sri Dato Johari bin Abdul (L) as they pose for a photo prior to their meeting in Istanbul, Türkiye on April 19, 2025. (AA Photo)

Türkiye’s unwavering support for Palestine

In his separate meeting with Palestinian Legislative Council Speaker Rawhi Fattouh, Kurtulmus reaffirmed Türkiye’s unwavering support for Palestine and called for the use of “all means of parliamentary diplomacy” to stop Israel’s genocidal assault and secure a lasting ceasefire.

“The genocide in Gaza and other Palestinian areas has gone beyond a massacre and ranks among the most brutal genocides in history,” Kurtulmus said.

Photo shows Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus (R) and President of the Palestinian National Council Rawhi Fattouh (L) — Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus (R) meets with President of the Palestinian National Council Rawhi Fattouh (L) in Istanbul, Türkiye on April 19, 2025. (AA Photo)

He asserted that responsibility lies not only with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his circle, but also with those who support them.

The Group of Parliaments in Support of Palestine, initiated by Türkiye’s parliament, aims to rally parliaments across the world — not only from Muslim-majority countries — in opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza and to promote international solidarity with Palestine.