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The second day of the London Halal Forum opened with a traditional Palestinian breakfast, as Bilal Erdogan called for greater economic support for Palestinian businesses and warned that violence in Gaza and the occupied West Bank continued despite a ceasefire.
Speaking at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London, Erdogan, deputy chairman of Ibn Haldun University's Board of Trustees, said the international community needed to coordinate its resources more effectively to support Palestinians.
"Unfortunately, every day genocide continues. Every day, we have attacks. Every day, we have killings. Not only in Gaza, also in the West Bank," he said.
The breakfast, featuring traditional Palestinian dishes such as hummus, zaatar, labneh and falafel, brought together entrepreneurs, investors and industry representatives while highlighting Palestinian cuisine and cultural heritage.
Erdogan described the gathering as an opportunity to strengthen solidarity with Palestinians and draw attention to the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the worsening conditions in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem.
Recalling a large pro-Palestinian demonstration held in Istanbul on Jan. 1, 2026, he announced plans for another gathering on Oct. 1, 2027.
He also welcomed recent measures taken by some Western countries to restrict trade involving illegal Israeli settlements, describing them as an initial step toward broader economic action.
"Hopefully, they will extend that to hold (whole) Israeli products at some point," he said.
Erdogan argued that economic support for Palestinians should begin with local food producers and businesses before expanding into higher-value sectors, including technology and medicine.
He added that Türkiye would continue supporting Palestinians, emphasizing that the issue extended beyond political divisions.
Addressing reports that he was among Turkish officials barred from entering Israel, Erdogan expressed hope that he would eventually be able to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
Palestinian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Husam Zomlot also addressed the gathering, accusing Israel of continuing military violence in Gaza and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank.
He specifically raised concerns about attacks by Israeli settlers targeting Palestinian olive harvests and argued that Palestinians had faced sustained economic pressure for decades.
Other speakers included Nurul Izzah Anwar, executive chairperson of the Suluh Center, and Yousef Khalawi, secretary general of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD).
Türkiye's Ambassador to London Osman Koray Ertas also attended, while the program featured a video introducing the Palestinian Museum and its work documenting Palestinian history, culture and society.
Organized by Halal360, a joint initiative of the ICCD and Halal Products Development Company (HPDC), the forum is being held under the theme "Halal Tayyib for Humanity."
The event focuses on expanding the halal economy, which encompasses products and services complying with Islamic principles, beyond food and certification into investment, tourism, technology, supply chains and international trade.
Anadolu Agency serves as the forum's global communications partner.
The inaugural edition, held at ExCeL London in November 2025, attracted more than 1,500 participants attending in person and virtually.
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