At the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Türkiye emphasized the need for immediate international action to support Palestinian statehood. Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz articulated the urgency of an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza, where ongoing violence has escalated dramatically.
Speaking during a high-level meeting of foreign ministers, Yilmaz asserted that the international community must take “irreversible steps” towards implementing a two-state solution to the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He cited findings from a recent independent commission of inquiry established by the UN, which has accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
“In Gaza, Israel continues to commit genocide before the eyes of the international community,” Yilmaz declared. He also pointed to the escalating crisis in the West Bank and Jerusalem, where illegal settlements and provocations at holy sites have intensified tensions. Yilmaz described Israel’s actions across the region as evidence of a leadership blinded by “extreme fanaticism.”
Yilmaz highlighted two critical priorities: the need for an immediate ceasefire accompanied by humanitarian access, and decisive steps towards realizing the two-state solution. He warned that efforts by Israel to dismantle the Palestinian Authority could further destabilize the region and called for continued support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). He stressed that achieving full UN membership for Palestine should be considered a “high priority.”
In a virtual address, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa expressed gratitude for the increasing recognition of Palestine by various nations. However, he underscored the urgent need for both political and financial support. “This Israeli government fully rejects Palestinian statehood, and considers that the best way to end such a prospect is to undermine and maybe even seek the collapse of the Palestinian Authority,” he cautioned.
The call for regional support was echoed by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, who reaffirmed Riyadh’s commitment to diplomatic and humanitarian efforts aimed at securing Palestinian borders based on the 1967 lines. He emphasized the necessity for security and prosperity for all nations in the region.
Jordan’s Ayman Safadi criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of desiring a broader conflict. “It’s high time that we move to action and not content ourselves with words,” he urged, calling for measures to dissuade Netanyahu from his current stance.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty also stressed that lasting stability in the region is impossible without a permanent solution for the establishment of an independent Palestine. Chile’s Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren reinforced this sentiment by declaring that the two-state solution is the only viable path to achieving a just and lasting peace. “We stand ready to work with all partners to make this roadmap a reality,” he asserted.
As the world observes the situation in Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the calls for action from Türkiye and other nations signal a pivotal moment that could influence diplomatic relations and humanitarian efforts in the region. The international community is now faced with the pressing challenge of addressing these complex issues amidst mounting tensions.