RECEP TAYYIP ERDOĞAN, President of Türkiye, observed that in the last few years, the United Nations has failed to fulfil its founding mission and has gradually become “a dysfunctional structure”.  The massacre in Gaza — where over 41,000 Palestinians have lost their lives — is the most dramatic example of the fact that “the world is bigger than five”.  As a result of the Israeli attacks, Gaza has become the largest cemetery for children and women in the world:  over 17,000 children have been the targets of Israeli bullets and bombs.  “In Gaza, not only are children dying, but also the United Nations system,” he said, asking bluntly:  “Are those in Gaza and the occupied West Bank not human beings?  Do children in Palestine have no rights?”  As Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drags the Middle East region deeper “into war”, he called on the Security Council:  “What are you waiting for to prevent the genocide in Gaza and to put a ‘stop’ to this cruelty, this barbarism?”  To those who unconditionally support Israel, he said:  “How long are you going to be able to carry the shame of witnessing this massacre?”

He underscored that while Hamas has repeatedly declared its acceptance of the ceasefire proposal, the Israeli Government has very clearly indicated that it is the party that does not want peace by continuously hampering the process, constantly finding excuses and perfidiously killing the interlocutor it negotiated with at a time when the ceasefire was closest.  “Just as Hitler was stopped by the alliance of humanity 70 years ago, Netanyahu and his murder network must be stopped by the alliance of humanity,” he asserted, adding: “An immediate and permanent ceasefire should be achieved, a hostage-prisoner exchange should be carried out and humanitarian aid should be delivered to Gaza in an unhindered and uninterrupted way.”

Also, he continued, the international community must extend a helping hand to the people of Gaza trying to survive, especially before winter, when conditions will deteriorate, adding that 70 per cent of the water resources and 75 per cent of the ovens in Gaza have been destroyed until now.  Türkiye, he said, is the country that sends the highest amount of aid to Gaza.  Although there is an urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, the main issue is the occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel.

Turning to other conflicts, he said the economic and humanitarian situation in Syria — which is in the grip of terrorist and separatist organizations — remains dire.  Relatedly, he urged the international community to support Iraq’s efforts towards development, reconstruction and reintegration with the region.  On the situation in Ukraine, he said:  “We are still far from reaching a just and lasting peace.”  As the arms race accelerates, the field of diplomacy is gradually narrowing, he said, announcing Ankara’s increased support for efforts to end the war through diplomacy and dialogue, based on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.  He further expressed support for the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, adding that the developments that can be achieved in the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process will also positively impact the Türkiye-Armenia normalization process. He also recalled that Türkiye has rights to the north and west of the island of Cyprus in the declared continental shelf and Turkish Cypriots have rights all around the island.