President Erdoğan: “We will continue our struggle for an independent Palestine”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in his video message to the “Future of Gaza: International Humanitarian Aid Summit” in Istanbul, Turkey once again emphasized its support for the Palestinian people and its determination to continue until the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Erdoğan wished that the summit would strengthen the solidarity of the Islamic world and drew attention to the human tragedy in Palestine.
“Unity of Power is Necessary for the Future of Gaza”
Erdoğan stated that the summit was an important step to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and that the Islamic world should act in unity and solidarity. “The massacres in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories since October 7, 2023 have once again shown how vital solidarity is,” Erdoğan said, adding that the Israeli attacks have martyred 50,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.
The Devastating Impact of Israeli Attacks
Erdogan said that Israel’s bombardments targeting civilians were not limited to Gaza, and that 3,500 people lost their lives in the attacks on Lebanon. The President said that the systematic targeting of places of worship, hospitals, schools and civilian infrastructure is inhumane.
Turkey’s Support to Palestine
Erdogan said Turkey has taken a leading role in humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people and this effort will continue. “In the last one year, we have sent over 86 thousand tons of aid to Palestine, making us one of the countries providing the most support to Palestine,” Erdoğan said, adding that 1,300 tons of aid was also delivered to the brothers in Lebanon. He said that Turkey is working for a common response of Islamic countries to the atrocities in Gaza through diplomatic contacts.
Independent Palestine Goal
Emphasizing that the struggle will continue until the occupation and massacre in Palestine ends, President Erdoğan said, “Our solidarity will continue until an independent and sovereign Palestinian state is established on the basis of the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.” Erdoğan underlined that the international community must show solidarity towards this goal.
Call to the Islamic World
Erdoğan thanked all Islamic countries participating in the summit and expressed his belief that such organizations increase solidarity. Expressing his satisfaction that organizations such as the Turkish Religious Foundation and Al-Hayr Foundation led the summit, the President wished that the summit would lead to good results for the oppressed Palestinian people.
