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Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz denounced Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide" and called it a "dark stain on the international order" during a high-level United Nations conference on Palestinian statehood Tuesday.
Speaking at the three-day High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution at U.N. headquarters, Yilmaz said the continuation of the conflict threatens to erode the rules-based international system.
The conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, focuses on concrete steps to implement a two-state solution in light of current developments in the region.
Yilmaz emphasized that occupation remains the fundamental obstacle to peace, stating, "We should remember the reason why the two-state solution has not been achieved so far: occupation. Any realistic solution has to face this cruel nature of the occupation."
"Israel has strategically been exporting instability to the whole region by seeking endless wars with hegemonic intentions," Yilmaz said. "No central authority is spared. Weakened state structures are sold. Failed states are desired and even engineered."
The deputy foreign minister noted that the conference's postponement was due to Israel's attacks on Iran, stating, "Israel, with hegemonic intentions seeking endless wars, is strategically exporting instability to the entire region."
Addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Yilmaz said images of children and babies dying from hunger or under fire deeply affect everyone. "In the 21st century, these images from Gaza will disturb humanity for many years," he said.
"The genocide committed by Israel in Gaza is a dark stain on the international order," Yilmaz stated. "Under current conditions, an immediate and permanent ceasefire is the most urgent priority; a ceasefire is not possible unless the aggressor is forced to do so."
He called for increased international pressure on Israel to end what he described as the "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza.
Yilmaz stressed that recognizing Palestinian statehood cannot be delayed further, declaring, "Recognition of the Palestinian state is the most urgent step that those who have not yet done so must take."
"In this framework, we welcome all recent steps towards recognition," Yilmaz said. "In addition to these urgent political steps, we should also help the Palestinian administration with capacity building in every way possible."
He emphasized that reconstruction efforts in Palestine should begin "without delay" and affirmed Türkiye's readiness to actively contribute to these efforts.
The deputy foreign minister called for concrete international action beyond economic aid, stating, "Palestine needs strong and concrete political solidarity that should be carried out together with coercive measures such as the UN's prohibition of arms transfers and stopping trade with the aggressor."
Yilmaz condemned Israeli settlement activities in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, stating, "Settler terrorism experienced at the end of the 21st century should not go unpunished; settlers and those who support them must face consequences."
"Settlerism is theft. Settlerism is a crime. Settlerism is an anachronistic version of colonialism in the 21st century," he said.
Yilmaz reiterated that the two-state solution remains essential not only for resolving the conflict but also for maintaining regional stability.
"The two-state solution remains central to not only the peaceful settlement of the conflict but also to preserving sustainable peace and security in the broader region," he said.
He indicated that disarmament of Palestinian armed groups would only be possible with the establishment of an independent state based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, coupled with internal reconciliation.
Concluding his remarks, Yilmaz reaffirmed Türkiye's commitment to the Palestinian cause: "Türkiye will continue its unwavering support for law, justice, and hence the rights of the Palestinian people who are in desperate need of our active and concrete support."
"We will do everything we can to prevent Israel's actions aimed at uprooting the Palestinian nation from their homeland and to ensure the establishment of a Palestinian state," he concluded.
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