Riyadh, November 11, 2024 – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a powerful address at the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh today, shedding light on Israel's long-term plans for territorial expansion in Palestine and its potential implications for the broader Middle East. President Erdogan condemned Israel’s ongoing military actions and outlined what he described as its ultimate objective: to establish control over Gaza, eliminate the Palestinian presence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and eventually annex the region.
The Turkish president cited the devastating toll of Israel’s actions on the Palestinian people, revealing that over 50,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict, with 70% of the victims being women and children. This figure highlights the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and other Palestinian territories, which President Erdogan condemned as massacres perpetrated by Israeli forces. He called for a unified international response to address these atrocities, urging global leaders to take legal action against those responsible for what he referred to as alleged genocide crimes in Palestine. According to Erdogan, differences in opinion among nations must not hinder collective efforts to seek justice and accountability in line with international law and the United Nations Charter.
In his speech, President Erdogan emphasized the importance of supporting South Africa’s legal efforts against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), calling for widespread backing of the case as a key step in holding Israel accountable for its actions. He also reiterated Turkey’s commitment to implementing concrete and realistic proposals to demonstrate the consequences of Israel’s continued occupation of Palestinian territories, suggesting that such measures could significantly shift the geopolitical balance and pressure Israel to change its course.
Additionally, President Erdogan highlighted the growing international recognition of Palestine, noting that since October 7, nine additional countries have officially recognized the State of Palestine. He also acknowledged the participation of over 90 countries in the recent global alliance meeting held in Riyadh, which focused on advancing the two-state solution—a pivotal framework for achieving peace and justice in the region. Erdogan called on the global community to continue supporting Palestinian statehood, underscoring the necessity of creating a viable and independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Concluding his address, President Erdogan expressed his gratitude to Saudi Arabia for hosting the summit, praising the Kingdom’s leadership in bringing together Arab and Islamic nations to discuss critical issues affecting Palestine and Lebanon. He voiced hope that the outcomes of the summit would lead to meaningful change, offering a path toward peace and justice for the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples, who continue to endure the devastating impacts of ongoing conflict.
Through his address, President Erdogan reinforced Turkey’s unwavering support for Palestinian rights and statehood while calling on the international community to unite in the face of ongoing Israeli aggression and occupation.