Delivering remarks following the Presidential Cabinet Meeting, Erdoğan said: “We have sped up our diplomatic contacts in order for Israel to stop its attacks. The international community can no longer remain silent to Israel’s banditry that drags the entire region into the fire.”
“30 tons of humanitarian aid supply arrived in Beirut”
Drawing attention to Israel’s increasing attacks on Lebanon, Erdoğan pointed to his meeting with Prime Minister Najib Mikati of Lebanon on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, and said: “We have rapidly sent to the region our aid containing urgent medication and medical supplies. 30 tons of humanitarian aid supply arrived in Beirut on Wednesday. We will maintain our aids as long as the security conditions allow us. As the attacks Israel carries out without any discrimination between soldiers and civilians continue, the needs of our Lebanese brothers and sisters exponentially increase. Nearly 1 million Lebanese civilians have already been displaced. Our nongovernmental organizations, the source of pride of our nation, are on the ground despite harsh conditions, and make every effort in terms of humanitarian aid.”
Erdoğan continued as follows: “We, for our part, have sped up our diplomatic contacts in order for Israel to stop its attacks. In this regard, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the MIT Director and other officials hold intensive talks with their counterparts. The international community can no longer remain silent to Israel’s banditry that drags the entire region into the fire. If the Security Council fails to display the necessary will, the General Assembly’s authority to recommend the use of force should rapidly be implemented, as in the Unity for Peace Resolution dated 1950.
“We as Muslims should lead the whole world”
I also need to say hereby that what really matters during this period is the Islamic world’s stance. The biggest reaction to the ongoing oppressions in Gaza, West Bank and Lebanon must be shown by Islamic countries. We as Muslims should lead the whole world in terms of preventing oppression and lending a hand to the oppressed. We cannot expect others to support our brothers and sisters if we do not protect them in the first place. However, there has been a serious weakness on this issue since the very first day. Economic, commercial and diplomatic steps that will force Israel to the ceasefire Hamas has announced to have accepted have yet to be taken. I would especially like to voice my regret over this negligence.”
Stating that protecting Palestine and Lebanon today means protecting humanity, peace and the culture of coexistence of different faiths, Erdoğan added: “Today Israel, through its massacre policies, is sowing the seeds of hostility that will last for generations, and those who support it are becoming a partner in this crime. By increasing the dosage of its state terror, Israel destroys not only the confidence in the international law, but also the reputation of the countries that support it. A handful of radical Zionists, whose eyes are covered with blood and hatred, are dragging our region and the whole world into the fire.”
“We call on the international community and the Islamic world to take action”
Stressing that they cannot consent to this oppression, this barbarism, Erdoğan went on to say: “We do not bow down to the Zionist lobby’s impudence that targets me either. We have not and will not hesitate to shout out justice whatever it takes. I call on the Islamic world and all the conscientious countries in the world to unite against this modern barbarism. It should be known that the danger will grow bigger each day when the alliance of humanity against Israel is not built. The repercussions of the atrocity Israel has been conducting will sooner or later knock the doors of everyone. Just like DAESH, just like the foreign terrorists that shed blood alongside YPG, the effects of Israel’s attacks will reach those who watch the massacre from the stands. We as Türkiye do not want the humanity to make the same mistake once again. We call on the international community and the Islamic world to take action for the peace of everyone in our region, whether they be Muslims, Jews or Christians.”
Noting that one of the topics on the agenda of the Presidential Cabinet meeting has been migration management, Erdoğan said: “Our efforts aimed at preventing irregular migration at its source continue. We work in cooperation with all stakeholders for our action plan regarding the safe, dignified and voluntary return of the refugees in our country.” (ILKHA)