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Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a strong critique of Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza during a speech at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State summit on Monday, calling the international community’s failure to intervene “unexplainable” as the humanitarian crisis continues.
Erdogan denounced the violence in Gaza, highlighting that babies, children, and the elderly are dying of hunger amid a 23-month-long humanitarian disaster. “There is no justification for failing to stop a massacre for nearly two years in which the most vulnerable civilians are starving and being killed,” he said.
Erdogan cited the deaths of more than 63,000 Palestinians, including thousands of women and children, since October 2023, calling for the United Nations to fulfill its responsibility as a platform for global justice.
He emphasized the moral imperative for the international community to act, stressing that inaction allows the continuation of mass civilian suffering and undermines the credibility of global human rights mechanisms.
Erdogan also addressed regional security concerns, reaffirming Türkiye’s position on Syria. “We will continue to oppose any attempts that threaten the security and territorial integrity of our neighbor, Syria,” he said. The Turkish leader described ongoing efforts to stabilize Syria as an opportunity for the entire region, calling for the restoration of territorial unity and sustainable political solutions that benefit all neighboring countries.
He emphasized Türkiye’s active role in promoting regional stability and said Ankara will support initiatives that uphold Syria’s sovereignty while discouraging interventions that could escalate conflict.
The Turkish president highlighted Türkiye’s growing engagement with Central Asian nations through SCO platforms and stressed the importance of cooperation on energy, infrastructure, and climate initiatives. He referenced Türkiye’s preparations to host the 2025 U.N. Climate Change Conference, framing it as an opportunity to advance global sustainability and security.
Erdogan concluded by reiterating Türkiye’s overarching foreign policy principle: “Our vision is to resolve global and regional issues through dialogue, diplomacy, and cooperation, with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations. I hope our discussions here will contribute to peace and stability for the region and the world.”
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