Erdoğan stresses Palestinian unity as genocide continues

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called for Palestinian unity amidst the ongoing devastation in Gaza, following a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, and Hamas’ political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, in Istanbul. [1]

Contents

Continued aid support while slamming Israel’s assault Turkey aiming for greater involvement in mediation Analysis Also read

The talks, held at the Dolmabahçe Palace on Saturday, went ahead during especially heightened tensions in the region — with Iran and Israel exchanging missile fire — and Gaza bracing for a potential new Israeli offensive. [1]

According to a statement released by the Turkish presidency, Erdoğan said,

“It is vital that Palestinians act with unity in this process. The strongest response to Israel and the path to victory lie in unity and integrity.” [2]

With regional issues between Israel and Iran threatening to overshadow or act as a smokescreen for further atrocities to be committed by the apartheid state, the Turkish leader said that shouldn’t allow them to,

“…gain ground, and that it is important to act in a way that keeps attention on Gaza.” [2]

Continued aid support while slamming Israel’s assault

Turkey has been a vocal critic of Israel’s genocidal onslaught in Gaza and has provided significant humanitarian aid to the region, in recent months and past years.

During the meeting with Haniyeh, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan also discussed the need for increased humanitarian assistance with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry. [1]

Both ministers called for the opening of Israeli crossings to allow necessary aid to reach Gaza, emphasising the importance of compliance with international law. [1]

Shoukry said,

“We demand that the six Israeli crossings with Gaza be opened to humanitarian aid. [1]

“Tackling regional and international issues is a top priority for Egypt and Turkey, chief among which is the devastating war in the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 33,000 Palestinians.” [3]

Turkey aiming for greater involvement in mediation

Turkey’s engagement with Haniyeh and its longstanding activism for Palestinian rights is clearly a reflection of its broader foreign policy objectives in the Middle East. [1]

It appears keen to exert influence in the region and advance its own geopolitical interests through this.

Erdoğan put it in the following words,

“I will continue as long as God gives me my life, to defend the Palestinian struggle and to be the voice of the oppressed Palestinian people.” [2]

Despite international efforts to address the crisis in Gaza, the humanitarian situation remains incredibly dire.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed or injured in Israeli attacks, while many others face food shortages and lack access to essential services. [1]

And as Israel continues its preparations for a potential assault on Rafah, concerns about further civilian casualties and internal displacement are not going away anytime soon.

In a harrowing read, the broadcaster Al Jazeera reported on 20 April,

“More than 34,000 people have been killed and over 76,900 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October.” [1]

Analysis

ANALYSIS

Shaheer Choudhury

Head of Editorial

Show of unity helpful, but more required

This three-way meeting held between the Turkish and Egyptian Foreign Ministers, Turkish President Erdoğan, and Palestine's Ismail Haniyeh, is a step in the right direction.

However, more Muslim countries should be taking on the responsibility to support an end to 200+ days of genocidal destruction at the hands of the apartheid state.

Is it too much to ask that the Muslim Ummah speaks out for an end to this devastation, let alone to call out the Zionist state for its heinous actions? Especially whilst Israel continues to ignore as many international conventions and laws as it desires, blocking aid routes, bombing civilians and humanitarian workers, engaging in collective punishment?

Muslim states must openly support Palestine

It is undoubtedly the case that geopolitical positions and relationships create a spaghetti junction in terms of navigating world events, but this softening in tone from Egypt is a positive step and more aid must be allowed into Gaza immediately.

People are starving to death, lacking medicine, and unable to rebuild critical infrastructure; they have no roofs over their head, and yet they have an unbreakable belief in Allah and in His delivery of justice.

We need to emulate their strength of character and support them in their time of need. It is certain that they pray for the rest of the Ummah, so we owe it to them to encourage our Muslim leaders to openly support them, and to not be fearful of what impact it might have on temporary worldly political relationships with other countries.