Palestinian people face unprecedented genocide: PLO Chairman Futuh
Palestinian National Council President Rawhi Fattouh makes a speech during meeting of the Parliamentary Group in Solidarity with Palestine at Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus in Istanbul, Türkiye on April 18, 2025. (AA Photo)
Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) National Council Chairman Ruhi Futuh said on Thursday that the Palestinian people are facing an “unprecedented genocide and a war of forced displacement” carried out by an occupying force that refuses to comply with international legitimacy and global will.
Futuh delivered his remarks at the Parliamentary Conference in Support of Palestine, held in Istanbul with the participation of national parliaments from 13 countries.
The event was organized by the Turkish Parliament.
‘This war must stop’
Futuh addressed the forum as a representative of “a people who love freedom and yearn for peace.”
Futuh emphasized that the ongoing war must end, and a two-state solution must be pursued to restore regional peace.
“This war must stop. This occupation must end, and a two-state solution must be implemented. As long as the occupation continues, instability and chaos in the region will persist,” he stated.
He added, “Mr. President (Erdogan), we need you. Palestine needs you.”
Key regional leaders join Istanbul meeting
High-level parliamentary representatives from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Senegal, Jordan, Bahrain, Algeria, Azerbaijan, and Egypt were among the attendees, along with Speaker Numan Kurtulmus of the Turkish Parliament, who spearheaded the initiative.
Futuh praises Türkiye’s support, condemns Israeli actions
Futuh thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for standing against the occupation, the genocide in Gaza, and the violations targeting Palestinians and Islamic holy sites in East Jerusalem.
“Israel is forcing the Palestinian people into displacement in the West Bank and Gaza,” he said. “I thank you for your stance against violations in the holy sites of East Jerusalem.”
Appeal for international intervention and solidarity
Describing the situation in Gaza, Futuh said genocide continues and Israel is using all means to try to destroy Palestine.
“I have come as the son of a people who love freedom and long for peace. Our people are committed to legitimate leadership and the vision of a two-state solution,” he noted, while rejecting any attempt to separate Gaza from the West Bank.
He called on world leaders and parliaments to take action by saying, “Children and women are being killed every day, and war crimes are being committed. Powerful nations remain silent.”
Six demands from the international community
Futuh listed six key demands to the global community:
- Immediate cessation of genocide, displacement, and forced expulsion.
- Delivery of humanitarian and medical aid to Gaza, and lifting the blockade.
- Removal of the financial siege on the Palestinian National Authority.
- Prevention of the destruction of refugee camps and forced evictions in the West Bank.
- Halt to settlement activities and Judaization plans in Jerusalem.
- Organization of an international peace conference to implement the two-state solution.
Erdogan acknowledged as key regional ally
Futuh concluded by thanking Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus for initiating the Parliamentary Group in Support of Palestine.
“Mr. President, we need your leadership to stop this war. It is vital that Palestinians stand united—whether in the West Bank, Gaza, or elsewhere. There must be a truly international movement,” he said.
