ISTANBUL

Addressing the UN General Assembly, the Turkish president on Tuesday urged “all world leaders to stand firmly with oppressed Palestinians today in the name of humanity.”

“Here, I sincerely appeal to all heads of state and government. Today is the day. Today is the day to stand upright by the oppressed Palestinians in the name of humanity. While your people react against the barbarism in Gaza, have the courage to follow through,” said Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“Today, we are also here at this podium to speak on behalf of Palestinian people, whose voices are being silenced, together with our own citizens,” said Erdogan.

Erdogan thanked all countries that have recognized Palestine so far, and called on the states that have not yet done so “to act without delay.”

Erdogan said that for 23 months, Israel has killed one child every hour in Gaza, stressing: “These are not numbers, but innocent people.”

“Every day, 2.5 million Gazans living within 365 square kilometers (141 square miles) are displaced, forced to move to another area,” said Erdogan.

“Innocent little children, only 2 or 3 years old, without hands, arms, or legs, sadly became an ordinary image of Gaza today,” the Turkish president said.

Holding up a photo of a child on the brink of starvation, Erdogan asked: “What conscience can endure, what conscience can remain silent on this? Can there be peace in the world where children die from hunger, lack of medicine?”

“Here, in America, in Europe, everywhere in the world, if a small thorn pricks a child's hand, parents' hearts hurt deeply; but in Gaza, children's hands, arms, and legs have to be amputated without anesthesia. Let us be clear: This is the lowest point of humanity. Human history has not witnessed such savagery in the last century. Everything is unfolding right before our eyes. The genocide in Gaza is being broadcast live at any moment through the media and social media.”  

Occupation under ‘pretext’

In fact "there is no war in Gaza," he said, as the Israeli army is using the most modern, deadliest weapons against innocent civilians.

Erdogan said Israel’s occupation under the pretext of the events of Oct. 7, 2023 is not counterterrorism, it is “a policy of deportation, exile, genocide, and mass slaughter.”

“Israel is not limiting itself to Gaza and West Bank; by carrying out attacks on Syria, Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon, it is also threatening regional peace,” he added.

The Turkish leader said Israel “completely lost control” after its attack on Qatar earlier this month, proving that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “has no intention of (seeking) peace or freeing hostages.”

He said Israeli attacks have pushed aside basic human, women's, and children's rights, and freedom of expression, protest, equality, and justice

Obsessed with what it calls the “promised land,” the Israeli administration is undermining regional peace and humanity's common achievements with its expansionist policy, said Erdogan.

“In Gaza, a ceasefire should be reached immediately, attacks should stop, and unhindered access to humanitarian aid must absolutely be allowed,” he implored.

Those behind the genocide must be held accountable under international law, which “will certainly happen,” Erdogan said. “Those who don’t raise their voice and don’t take a stance against the barbarism in Gaza are complicit in this savagery.”

In his speech, Erdogan drew global attention to Israel’s actions in Gaza, presenting photographs captured by Anadolu as evidence of Israel's ongoing genocide.