By Şevval Tufan
In a recent UN meeting addressing the Israeli-Palestinian clash, His Excellency Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict. Two months ago, he had warned about the risks of Israeli attacks, emphasizing the threat they posed to regional and global peace and security.
After 109 days of conflict, Minister Fidan decried the international community’s inability to halt the bloodshed in Gaza and the West Bank. He lamented Gaza’s transformation from an open prison to a battleground where civilian lives are sacrificed for political gain by the Israeli Prime Minister.
Minister Fidan challenged the argument that the current war is solely about Israel’s security, emphasizing the lack of consideration for Palestinian security and their right to self-defense. Accusing Israel of committing serious war crimes, he urged accountability to restore faith in international law and the rules-based order.
Expressing serious concern about potential genocide, Minister Fidan welcomed the application before the International Court of Justice, addressing Israel’s violations of the 1948 genocide convention. He emphasized the need to prevent geographical escalation, pointing to recent alarming incidents in the Red Sea, Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Pakistan.
Calling for a diplomatic solution, Minister Fidan urged Israel and its supporters to seek immediate and permanent ceasefire, release captives on both sides, and ensure continuous humanitarian assistance to Gaza. He highlighted the failure of the UN Security Council and stressed the historical responsibility to stop the war.
Emphasizing the importance of a unified Palestinian leadership and a two-state solution based on 1967 borders, Minister Fidan proposed the establishment of a mechanism to monitor and ensure peace between Israelis and Palestinians. He underscored the urgency of action to prevent the erosion of fundamental principles and moral values in the international system.
He also urged collective efforts to halt the current situation in Gaza, emphasizing the need to act now to safeguard the values crucial for the future of humanity.
