Speaking at the Gaza Tent in Rabia Square, organized by the Şanlıurfa NGOs Platform, Yapıcıoğlu condemned international inaction and called for decisive efforts to support the Palestinian people.

Gaza: A Humanitarian and Ethical Catastrophe

Yapıcıoğlu described Gaza as a microcosm of the failures of international law and governance, asserting that the ongoing violence highlights a moral and legal void. “What they call international law is a big nothingness,” he remarked, criticizing the global community for its lack of effective intervention. He emphasized that the rights of Gazans are human rights and that humanity itself is under attack.

The chairman decried the massacre of civilians, including children and the unborn, and lamented the global silence in the face of systematic atrocities. “Even in war, children are not killed, hospitals are not bombed, and aid convoys are not attacked. Yet Gaza has witnessed all these violations while the world stood by and watched,” he said. Yapıcıoğlu highlighted the complicity of the international system in protecting the interests of powerful nations rather than ensuring justice and peace.

Yapıcıoğlu described the siege of Gaza as an ongoing genocide, where over two million Palestinians are trapped without access to basic necessities, including food, water, and medical aid. He called it a collective punishment against an entire population for the mere act of existing on their land. “The people of Gaza are not just resisting occupation; they are fighting for their survival, for their dignity, and for their right to live freely in their homeland,” he said.

Unity and Resistance Amidst Adversity

Yapıcıoğlu reflected on the state of the Islamic ummah, pointing out its fragmentation and lack of collective action. Despite these challenges, he praised the resilience of Palestinians, particularly in Gaza. He shared the story of Yahya Sinwar, a Palestinian fighter who resisted Israeli forces to his last breath, as a testament to the unyielding spirit of Gaza’s defenders.

“Gaza’s people have not given up their resistance, even under impossible conditions. Their steadfastness is a reminder to the world that surrender is not an option,” he said, urging individuals and nations to continue supporting Gaza through donations, advocacy, and boycotts. Yapıcıoğlu called on the Muslim world to rise above sectarian divides and come together in defense of Palestine, emphasizing that the liberation of Jerusalem is a shared duty of all Muslims.

A Call for Legal Accountability

Yapıcıoğlu also called for legislative measures to hold perpetrators of genocide accountable. He urged support for a HÜDA PAR proposal introduced in December 2023, which seeks to prosecute those complicit in genocide, regardless of their nationality. The proposal includes measures to strip Turkish citizenship from dual nationals guilty of such crimes and to confiscate their assets in Turkey.

Despite widespread support from multiple political parties, the proposal has stalled in Parliament. Yapıcıoğlu called on civil society to amplify their demands for justice, stating, “Raise your voice, send a tweet, create a hashtag: ‘I don’t want genocide in my country.’”

Yapıcıoğlu further urged the international community to push for Israel’s accountability in international courts. He criticized the double standards that allow Israeli leaders to act with impunity while other nations face severe repercussions for similar actions. “True justice will only be achieved when the perpetrators of these crimes face consequences,” he said.

The Broader Implications of the Gaza Crisis

Yapıcıoğlu warned that the ongoing atrocities in Gaza are part of a larger Zionist agenda aimed at displacing Palestinians and expanding territorial control. He argued that the international community’s inaction emboldens such plans and poses threats beyond Palestinian borders.

“Their attacks are not confined to Palestine; they extend to Lebanon and Syria. Humanity’s conscience must act decisively to halt these crimes,” he asserted. Yapıcıoğlu expressed hope that global awareness and solidarity would eventually lead to the liberation of Jerusalem, drawing parallels to its historic liberation from Crusader occupation. He called for an international boycott of companies complicit in Israel’s actions, highlighting the power of economic resistance.

Conclusion: A Message of Hope and Responsibility

Despite the dire circumstances, Yapıcıoğlu urged people not to despair. “Every act, no matter how small, contributes to a larger movement. Whether through donations, advocacy, or boycotts, we must persist,” he said. He reiterated that justice for Palestine is inevitable, framing it as a matter of time and collective effort.

Yapıcıoğlu concluded with a call to action, emphasizing the importance of perseverance: “The losers are not those who become martyrs, but those who give up the struggle. Let us ensure that our efforts today pave the way for a future free from oppression.”

In his final remarks, he reminded the audience that the liberation of Gaza and Palestine is not only a matter of political or religious duty but a test of humanity’s conscience. “The world cannot claim to uphold human rights and democracy while ignoring the plight of Gaza. Justice for Palestine is justice for all oppressed people everywhere.”

Yapıcıoğlu's speech in Şanlıurfa was not just a call to remember Gaza but a plea for active engagement and legal action against those perpetrating or supporting the violence there. His words serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the need for a united, resolute response from both the Muslim world and the broader international community to address what he describes as an attack on human values and international law. (ILKHA)