By Janet Ekstract ISTANBUL -On Friday, the Turkish president’s son, Bilal Erdogan speaking at a Palestine Symposium in Istanbul said that Israel owes the world an apology for what he said is “the same as the Nazi regime, acting entirely on genocide.” Bilal Erdogan who is deputy-chair of Ibn Haldun University’s board of trustees also said that he condemns the “global alliance aiding Israel’s monstrosity.” Erdogan criticized Israel for not allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza and for not caring about civilian lives. The university organized the two-day conference February 23-24, entitled “Palestine and the Future of Global Relations” at the Grand Cevahir Hotel and Conference Center. Speakers at the conference include prominent experts on Palestine and the Middle East, activists and academicians from around the globe and Turkiye. Opening and closing speeches were given by Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, Chancellor of Kampala University in Uganda, Mamood Mamdani, Norwegian physician, Dr. Mads Gilbert and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, Saudi-born Talal Asad. The purpose of the symposium consisting of six sessions is to discuss “Palestine and the Future of Global Relations from various perspectives.” Elite scholars from Europe and Asia also participated in the symposium which was open to the public.
As the Dean of Ibn Haldun University, Atilla Arkan commented: “Jerusalem is a city of knowledge and religions suffering under occupation where Israel has killed women, children and elderly. No one in the world can accept these actions.” Arkan further explained that the symposium was organized to demonstrate the crucial role that “academics must undertake on Gaza. That’s why we organized this symposium to make the silent international community hear our voices.” The Turkish government has taken a stance on defending the rights of Palestinians and both its president and foreign minister have called for a two-state solution to resolve the conflict. To that end, in October 2023, the Turkish government presented a peace proposal and offered to be active in any mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas. Turkish President Erdogan and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan have both reiterated that only a two-state solution will bring peace to the region for both Israelis and Palestinians. As Bilal Erdogan concluded: “I hope this wound in the conscience of humanity will not be left bleeding and a collective willpower will emerge that can put a stop to Israel.”
Photo : AA
