Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has suggested that an international peace conference be convened for a permanent solution between the Israelis and Palestinians.
This came as leaders from the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation met for a summit in Riyadh.
According to Erdogan, a permanent solution to the conflict depends on the formation of a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders.
He said, “We believe that an international peace conference will provide the most suitable basis for this. We are ready to make the necessary efforts, including as a guarantor.”
Iterating his usual call for an immediate ceasefire, Erdogan said, “Israel is taking revenge … on Gazan babies, children and women.”
“What is urgent in Gaza is not pauses for a few hours, rather we need a permanent ceasefire,” he added.
Turkey, which has sharply escalated its criticism of Israel as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has intensified, supports a two-state solution and hosts members of Hamas, which it does not view as a “terrorist organisation”, unlike the US, the UK and others in the West.
“We cannot put Hamas resisters defending their homeland in the same category as the occupiers,” the Turkish President said.
The formation of the Palestinian state was also mentioned by the Saudi Crown Prince.
Speaking in an opening address at the summit, Mohammed bin Salman averred, “We are certain the only cause for peace is the end of the Israeli occupation and illegal settlements, and restoration of the established rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of the state on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
“This is a humanitarian catastrophe that has proved the failure of the international community and the UN Security Council to put an end to Israel’s gross violations of international humanitarian laws, and prove the dual standards adopted by the world,” he added.
Meanwhile, Huran Armagan, deputy chairman of foreign relations for Turkey’s governing AK Party, said that a “huge humanitarian catastrophe” is unfolding in Gaza and reiterates calls for an immediate ceasefire.
“We need to work together … for a concrete solution in Gaza in the Palestine-Israel conflict,” he noted, adding, “If we do not take concrete steps for a two-state solution, these conflicts will continue.”
Armagan also called on the international community to take “immediate action against this” war on Gaza.
Nations Told To Cut Ties With Israel
Moreover, Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi urged nations that have ties with Israel to sever them and called for greater support for Palestinians.
“Islamic governments should designate the army of the occupying and aggressor regime as a terrorist organisation,” Raisi said.
He called for “cutting any sort of political or economic relations with the Zionist regime”. Implementing a “trade boycott against the Zionist regime, especially in the energy field, should be prioritised”.
The Iranian President hit out at the United States for providing financial and military support to Israel.
“Both the war machine of the Zionist regime and its fuel belong to the Americans,” he said, adding “undoubtedly, the US government is the commander and the main accomplice of this crime.”
“America is supporting Israel in the UN and vetoes resolutions that prevent the killing of Palestinians. It has paved the way for Israel to kill more, to bombard more and to shell more.”
Ebrahim Raisi
He asserted that “blind” bombardment against Gaza must stop.
“The entire Islamic world must be united and through this unity, we can solve the problem,” he said.
“I hope at the end of this summit we can come to a resolution that will be for the benefit of the Palestinian people. We need to support the resistance, and we need to kiss the hands and foreheads of every member of the Palestinian resistance.”
Ebrahim Raisi
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