“Peace cannot prevail in the Middle East without a fair solution to the Israel-Palestine issue”

Holding a joint press conference with President Abbas of Palestine, President Erdoğan said: “It has become all the more obvious with the recent incidents that peace cannot prevail in the Middle East without a fair solution to the Israel-Palestine issue. Yet, the only path to lasting peace is the establishment of an independent, sovereign and geographically-integrated Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East al-Quds as its capital.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine held a joint press conference following their meeting at the Presidential Complex.

“OUR PALESTINIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS ARE GOING THROUGH ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT PERIODS IN THEIR HISTORY”

Expressing his happiness to be hosting President Abbas and his delegation in Türkiye, President Erdoğan said: “Türkiye and the Turkish nation have always defended the Palestine cause, with Palestine always having a special place in our heart. My treasured brother last visited our country in July of last year. During today’s talks, we have thoroughly discussed the latest situation in Palestine.”

President Erdoğan went onto say: “Our Palestinian brothers and sisters are going through one of the most difficult periods in their history. 31 thousand Palestinians have been martyred in the attacks Israel has been carrying out against innocent people in Gaza and Ramallah since October 7. More than 72 thousand people have been injured. Nearly 2 million Palestinians have been forced to leave their homes. 2.3 million Palestinians have no access to daily basic needs. Israel has been massacring the Gazan people not only by starving them but also by showering bombs on innocent people. We have been witnessing one of the gravest barbarities of the last century for exactly 151 days. With the unlimited support of Western powers, Netanyahu and his crazed administration are committing a blatant genocide against the Palestinian people.”

Offering his condolences to the Palestinian people on behalf of the Turkish nation, President Erdoğan prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the Palestinians who have been martyred in Israel’s attacks, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

“NETANYAHU AND HIS PARTNERS IN MURDER WILL DEFINITELY BE HELD TO ACCOUNT FOR EVERY DROP OF BLOOD THEY SHED”

Noting that about a thousand injured Palestinians are currently under treatment in various hospitals across Türkiye, President Erdoğan stated: “Netanyahu and his partners in murder will definitely be held to account for every drop of blood they shed before the law and collective conscience. As Türkiye, we will continue to work and to force every door to make sure this happens. We presented our position on various aspects of the issue in our oral statement at the International Court of Justice on February 26.”    

President Erdoğan continued his remarks as follows: “Israel is on trial at the International Court of Justice for violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention. However, despite the preliminary ruling, the Israeli administration continues to kill our brothers and sisters, whether they be women and children, and to massacre civilians waiting in queue for food. The biggest reason for Israel’s spoiled and lawless attitude is the support western powers give Israel because of their sins in the Holocaust. Of course, the lack of unity in the Islamic world also plays a big part in this.”

“THE AIM OF THE ACTS OF OCCUPATION IS TO UNDERCUT THE VISION OF A TWO-STATE SOLUTION” 

Highlighting Türkiye’s strong support for the Palestinian people, President Erdoğan drew attention to the extraordinary efforts Türkiye has been exerting since October 7. 

“Israel’s attacks on the occupied Palestinian territories have topped our agenda in every talk we have held and in every visit we have made abroad. As regards humanitarian aid, we have thus far sent over 37 tons of supplies to the region by ships and planes. Also, we have transferred over 900 patients and their attendants to Türkiye for treatment. Our efforts continue for the establishment of a field hospital in Gaza. We have increased our in-kind and cash aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). We have been working intensively to strengthen the Agency’s corporate capacity. Israel's propaganda aimed at discrediting the Agency through lies and slander should not be given credit and its existence should not be harmed. It has become all the more obvious with the recent incidents that peace cannot prevail in the Middle East without a fair solution to the Israel-Palestine issue. Yet, the only path to lasting peace is the establishment of an independent, sovereign and geographically-integrated Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East al-Quds as its capital. It is futile for the international community to instead try to manage the consequences of the ongoing occupation; it is a meaningless and useless approach. In this respect, all the relevant states must share responsibility in a manner to help the parties to the problems,” President Erdoğan said. 

Underlining that the aim of the acts of occupation, which further escalate day by day, is actually to undercut the vision of a two-state solution by creating faits accomplis on the ground, President Erdoğan warned: “The acts of the usurpers, known as 'so-called settlers,' who invade and steal lands that actually belong to Palestinians, are one of the most significant obstacles to the solution.” 

President Erdoğan further stressed: “As a result of these blatant thefts that totally disregard the law, it has become almost impossible to speak of a geographical integrity for Palestine. It is clear that a just peace with guarantees are needed instead of peace efforts that remain on paper. Accordingly, we as Türkiye have already announced that we stand ready to assume responsibility within the framework of the guarantorship mechanism. We will increase our efforts to this end in the period ahead. We are sending our messages highlighting the need for the prevention of provocations within the context of the approaching holy month of Ramadan. Radical Israeli politicians’ demands for the restriction of Muslims’ entry into al-Haram al-Sharif is utter nonsense. The consequences of taking such a step would undoubtedly be very severe. We are also closely following the efforts to achieve unity and consensus among our Palestinian brothers and sisters. At this stage, securing unity and solidarity among the Palestinians would be one of the best answers to Israel’s oppression. We always stand ready to do our part on this issue, as well.”        

President Erdoğan further stressed that Türkiye will continue to strongly defend the Palestine cause and support every kind of efforts aimed at increasing the Palestinian people’s security and prosperity.