During a press conference held one year after the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye, Secretary-General Şehzade Demir went beyond offering condolences and earthquake recovery updates, instead shifting the focus towards the escalating crisis in Gaza.
Demir condemned israel's ongoing aggression in Gaza, labelling them "genocidal" due to the deliberate use of food and medical supplies as weapons. He criticized the international community's weak response to the unfolding tragedy, particularly the inaction of Muslim-majority nations.
A Call to Action for Türkiye:
Demir outlined a series of specific actions he believes Türkiye should undertake:
-Facilitate Food Delivery to Gaza: Break the siege and ensure essential food supplies reach the besieged population, countering Israel's use of "hunger as a weapon."
-Deliver Urgent Medical Supplies: Address the critical shortage of medicine and medical equipment, potentially saving the lives of tens of thousands of Palestinians.
-Establish a Commission to Bring Wounded Gazans to Türkiye: Leverage Türkiye's advanced healthcare infrastructure to provide treatment for those who cannot be treated in Gaza, exceeding the symbolic efforts undertaken so far.
-Pressure the International Community: Advocate for stronger international action against Israel's human rights violations and mobilize support for the Palestinian people.
Demanding More Than Symbolic Gestures:
Demir expressed disappointment with Türkiye's limited actions thus far. He acknowledged that some injured Palestinians had received treatment in Türkiye, but he emphasized that these efforts remained symbolic and insufficient. He called for a more substantial and sustained commitment from the Turkish government, including bringing a significantly larger number of wounded Gazans to Türkiye for treatment.
Demir further emphasized the need for broader Islamic world involvement. He urged Türkiye to use its regional influence to pressure other Muslim-majority countries to contribute to the relief effort and advocate for a united front against Israel's actions.
HÜDA PAR's statement reflects growing international concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. The party's demands highlight the perceived inadequacy of the current international response and call for a more decisive and coordinated effort led by Türkiye. The emphasis on bringing large numbers of wounded Gazans to Türkiye for treatment underscores the urgency of the crisis and the need for immediate action. However, the potential political and logistical challenges associated with such a large-scale operation remain to be addressed. (ILKHA)