President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is conducting intensive diplomatic efforts to put an end to the genocide in Gaza, Erdogan, within this framework, has held meetings with the Presidents and Prime Ministers of 27 countries since October 7, 2023.
On October 17th, following Israel's brutal bombing of a hospital in Gaza, President Erdoğan made a strong statement condemning the attack with the following words: "Striking a hospital that holds women, children, and innocent civilians is the latest example of Israel's attacks, which are devoid of the most fundamental human values, I call upon all states and international organizations to sincerely support initiatives aimed at establishing an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza."
On October 28th, at the call of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a 'Grand Palestine Rally' was organized at Atatürk Airport. In his address to the crowd, President Erdoğan highlighted the following points: "The Western world has mobilized its politicians and media in an effort to legitimize the massacre of children, women, and innocents in Gaza. For a full 22 days, Israel has been overtly committing war crimes. We will declare you as a war criminal to the world. We are now preparing for this. We are working on it and will introduce Israel as a war criminal to the world."
Between October 23-29 October, a series of hashtag campaigns were conducted on social media platform X to support Palestine
ERDOĞAN'S "ONE MİNUTE" INCIDENT
On January 29, 2009, during the World Economic Forum, Erdoğan confronted Israeli Prime Minister Peres, Erdoğan criticized Israel's attacks on Gaza and highlighted human rights violations against Palestinians.
He concluded his remarks by saying "One Minute" to Peres, expressing his protest against Israel's actions, "When it comes to killing, you know how to kill very well! I know very well how you shot those children on the beaches... I also condemn those who applaud this oppression. Because applauding those who kill these children, those who kill these people, I believe, is a separate crime against humanity." he said
During an emergency meeting on Gaza convened by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan clearly articulated Türkiye's stance on Gaza and Palestine with the following remarks: "The Muslim world must make bold decisions and implement them with resolve until the establishment of a sovereign, independent Palestinian state with full territorial integrity, with East Jerusalem as its capital, becomes a reality."
THE ATTEMPTED OCCUPATION OF AL-AQSA MOSQUE AND TÜRKİYE'S HARSH RESPONSE
In 2021, fanatic Jews and Israeli police began to attack worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque.
• The attack later escalated into an occupation attempt.
• The Israeli army attacked civilian Palestinians with heavy weapons and bombs, and residential areas were bombed by aircraft.
Following these attacks, President Erdoğan spoke on the phone with the leaders of 19 countries.
◦ He communicated that "Türkiye's support for Palestine would continue."
◦ He detailed the initiatives started by Türkiye to elicit a strong response to Israel.
• Erdoğan: "Even if the whole world turns a blind eye, we will not condone Israel's cruelty. Opposing Israel's aggression in Palestinian cities and Jerusalem is a matter of honor for all humanity." (May 14, 2021)
In 2021, fanatic Jews and Israeli police began to attack worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque. Erdoğan said "Even if the whole world turns a blind eye, we will not condone Israel's cruelty. Opposing Israel's aggression in Palestinian cities and Jerusalem is a matter of honor for all humanity." (May 14, 2021)
HUMANITARIAN AID EFFORTS
From Türkiye, a presidential aircraft carrying medicine and medical equipment, along with 20 specialist healthcare personnel, departed from Esenboğa Airport to Egypt on October 22.
◦ The healthcare team, including doctors, began to conduct feasibility studies for the field hospitals to be set up at the El-Arish Airport and Rafah Border Crossing.
"Health Minister Fahrettin Koca, conducted numerous telephone conversations, including with the highest-level executives of the World Health Organization (WHO), to facilitate the delivery of health support, one of the most urgent needs of the Gazan population."
IHH HUMANITARIAN RELIEF FOUNDATION
IHH conducts aid activities in a total of 9 areas in Palestine, encompassing education, protection, healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter, food security and livelihoods, non-food aid, cultural activities, and disaster management.
Turkish Red Crescent has intervened in natural and man-made disasters in 138 different countries over the last 10 years, extending a helping hand to 147 countries since its establishment.
Turkish Red Crescent opened Delegation Offices in Jerusalem and Gaza in 2009.
AFAD continues its food aid activities in the region through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
A total of 22 water wells have been constructed in Gaza, supplying clean drinking water to over 1 million people.
10 desalination units have been established for schools operating in the Gaza Strip.
