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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for the immediate prosecution of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet for alleged genocide, declaring, "the monster must be stopped."
Speaking at the Bosphorus Diplomacy Forum on Democracy and Freedoms Island in Istanbul on Saturday, the Turkish president highlighted that Netanyahu addressed empty seats at the U.N. General Assembly on Friday, Sept. 26.
Erdogan demanded comprehensive sanctions against Israel, including bans from international sports tournaments, and praised countries beginning to recognize Palestine after what he called decades of wrong.
"Netanyahu, his cabinet, and the genocide squad must be immediately prosecuted and punished," Erdogan said.
"Deterrent sanctions must be applied to Israel, including bans from international sports tournaments. Spain's decision cannot be set aside. Our Football Federation President has also revealed his stance on this issue. We will definitely evaluate this," the Turkish president noted.
The Turkish president emphasized a shifting international tide, noting Netanyahu's isolation at the United Nations, noting, "Yesterday, the head of the genocide network could not find anyone to listen to his lies and threats at the United Nations General Assembly and spoke to empty seats."
Erdogan later added the Turkish proverb: "Take not the oppressed's curse, for it rises slowly but surely."
He argued that those who had been "sleeping with their ears covered" were awakening from their "sleep of heedlessness" and that "those who reduced the issue in Gaza to the Hamas bracket are slowly realizing that this is not the case at all."
"Israel's concern is not just Gaza; this is becoming clearer day by day. Especially the attack on Qatar revealed Israel's true intentions. It was seen once again that the monster must be stopped," Erdogan stated.
According to Erdogan, nearly 66,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women, have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, with the wounded approaching 170,000.
He reported that more than 2,500 Palestinians have been killed at supposed aid distribution points since May 27, with over 18,500 injured.
"We have opened our hospitals and are treating these wounded in our facilities. Our doors are open in this matter, we are giving and will continue to give all kinds of support we can," Erdogan said.
"There are many more pains, dramas, and massacres happening in Palestine that are not reflected in the media," he added.
The president described Gaza as "2.5 million people squeezed into 365 square kilometers, subjected to history's most brutal genocide."
"Forget not, if the oppressors have a plan, Allah also has a plan, and that plan will ultimately prevail," Erdogan told the forum.
"This is a different calculation. No calculation stands above Allah's calculation, and we have lived this, we are living it, and Allah willing, we will continue to live it," he stated.
President Erdogan also expressed support for the Sumud Fleet, which is currently sailing toward Gaza in the Mediterranean.
"Conscience-bearing unarmed activists and volunteers from different countries, different faiths, and different colors from around the world are bringing aid to Gaza," he said.
"From here, we also send our greetings to the hope travelers of the Sumud Fleet, who are subjected to Israel's state terrorism. May the Almighty open their way and protect them," the Turkish president noted.
While welcoming the growing recognition of Palestine by over 150 countries, Erdogan questioned the timing: "Couldn't these steps have been taken earlier? Couldn't Palestine have been supported without 65,000 innocents dying? Couldn't Palestine have been officially recognized before being made unrecognizable by the massacre squad?"
"I know some will be uncomfortable, but we must ask these questions. For the blood of Gaza's oppressed not to be shed in vain, I believe everyone must make this reckoning in their inner world. Otherwise, the blood of innocent children, women, and people will continue to be victims of political calculations," he added.
Erdogan insisted that recognizing Palestine without stopping Israel would remain incomplete. He called for the Israeli government to be billed for "destruction in Gaza approaching 100 billion dollars."
"The measures Türkiye has taken against Israel in trade and other areas should be an example to other countries; they should now begin taking similar steps," he said.
"Otherwise, the chaos will not remain within Middle East borders; this fire will engulf the whole world. We will continue working to prevent the flames from spreading further and to ensure peace and tranquility in our region," Erdogan noted.
The Turkish president delivered a scathing critique of the post-World War II international order, particularly the U.N. Security Council, saying mechanisms meant to prevent wars and stop conflicts have "become part of the problem."
"The order established by the victors after World War II has lost its credibility along with its functionality," Erdogan declared.
"Universal values have been shelved, governance mechanisms have gone bankrupt, and the international system that derives its legitimacy from rules and principles has been completely paralyzed."
"Global peace and security have given way to an endless spiral of war and instability," he noted.
Erdogan characterized Türkiye as an actor "without any complexes," working for peace, stability, tranquility and justice in a manner befitting its history and civilization, "able to meet with all parties, trusted by everyone."
"We have only one goal. That is to strongly ensure peace, tranquility, and stability in the region. As Türkiye, we are concerned with opening the path to this," he concluded.
Erdogan lastly emphasized Türkiye's consistent support for regional victims of conflict, citing 14 years of support for Syria when "many countries of the world turned their backs on the Syrian people," and efforts during the Russia-Ukraine war when "war barons poured gasoline on the fire, we worked for just peace."
"Every life that falls on the streets of Gaza, Yemen, Syria, Sudan, Somalia tears a piece from our own lives," he concluded, emphasizing Türkiye's historical and moral responsibility for regional leadership.
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