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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for comprehensive economic sanctions against Israel during an extraordinary Organization of Islamic Cooperation-Arab League summit in Qatar on Monday, revealing that Türkiye has foregone $9.5 billion in annual trade to pressure Tel Aviv.
"I believe Israel needs to be squeezed economically as well. Previous experiences show that such steps yield results," Erdogan told delegates at the summit hosted by Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Erdogan began his speech by offering condolences for Palestinians and Qataris killed in what he described as an Israeli attack on Qatar. "May Almighty Allah have mercy on our martyrs and grant them paradise with His beauty," he said, wishing swift recovery to the wounded.
The Turkish president disclosed that his country has suspended all commercial transactions with Israel for the past year and a half.
"We, as Türkiye, have stopped all commercial transactions with Israel for 1.5 years. Thus, we have foregone an annual figure of $9.5 billion," Erdogan stated.
"Support for the genocide case opened at the International Court of Justice is also very important. Likewise, we must be able to implement concrete steps and mechanisms where we will ensure the security of the region together," he noted.
"At this point, I believe there are things that can be done within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation," Erdogan added.
President Erdogan stated that Israel is pursuing territorial expansion as part of what is also known as the "Greater Israel" ideology.
"In recent times, we see some insolent Israeli political figures frequently repeating the 'Greater Israel' delusion. Israel's efforts to expand its occupations in neighboring countries are concrete manifestations of this goal," Erdogan stated.
The president outlined Israel's recent military actions across the region since Oct. 7, 2023, when he said Israel began committing genocide in Gaza.
"Israel, after Palestine, attacked Lebanon, Yemen, Iran and Syria. It targeted civilian ships off the coast of Tunisia. It organized assassinations of elected politicians and statesmen. Now they have also attacked Qatar, the mediator. This latest attack has taken Israel's banditry to a different dimension," Erdogan said.
The Turkish president emphasized the Islamic world's backing of Qatar in the current situation.
"I find it very important and meaningful that we are holding today's summit in Doha in this regard. I emphasize that the world public should see this meeting as a manifestation of the Islamic world's unconditional support for Qatar," Erdogan said.
"I hope that the decisions we will take today will once again declare our heartfelt feelings to the world public in writing. I observe with satisfaction that Qatar is managing this crisis with dignity under the wise and resolute leadership of my dear brother Emir Sheikh Tamim. As Türkiye, I reiterate that we always stand by our friend, brother and ally Qatar," he added.
The Turkish president also proposed enhanced cooperation among Islamic nations in the defense and development sectors.
"It is essential that we reach a self-sufficient level in certain areas. At the forefront of these comes a deterrent defense industry and development. I want you to know that we are ready to share our capabilities and experiences with you, our brothers. I think we need to intensify our cooperation in these areas now to win the next 10 years," Erdogan stated.
Erdogan characterized the Netanyahu government's objectives in stark terms.
"It is now an indisputable fact that the Netanyahu government's main goal is to drag the entire region into instability without any discrimination while continuing the massacre and genocide in Palestine. We are facing a terror mentality that feeds on chaos and blood, and a state in which it is embodied," Erdogan stated.
"This mentality, which openly violates the United Nations Charter, challenges international law and the rules-based international system, and is still able to survive because the crimes it commits go unpunished," he continued.
The president also noted that Tel Aviv's escalating actions are beginning to affect even its traditional supporters.
"The Netanyahu massacre network's loss of balance has started to create costs for its supporters as well. Even those who give unconditional support to Israel were obliged to react in the face of the reckless attacks against Qatar," Erdogan said.
"Some countries announcing their intentions to recognize the Palestinian state is certainly a positive step. I would have wished this had been done at an earlier stage. However, these steps will have difficulty yielding results unless they are supported by concrete and strong sanctions against Israel," he added.
Turkish President urged increased diplomatic pressure and legal accountability for Israeli officials.
"Our diplomatic efforts should be intensified to increase sanction implementations against Israel, and international legal mechanisms should be used to ensure Israeli officials are held accountable before justice," he stated.
"We know that Israel will not stop in the short term without facing strong reaction and sanctions, and will accelerate its occupation and destabilization policies. We are aware that we have the means to prevent this," Erdogan said.
The president also reaffirmed Türkiye's position on the Palestinian issue by stating, "We will continue our struggle with determination until a Palestinian state with geographical integrity based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, comes into existence. In this sacred cause, we can accept neither displacement, nor genocide, nor division."
President Erdogan concluded by expressing expectations for tangible outcomes from the summit, "I hope that the summit and the decisions we will take will be instrumental in taking additional steps to stop the Israeli threat, and I hope that the results of our meeting will be followed to the letter."
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