In today's world, where conflicts, wars, and human rights violations are intensifying, the speeches delivered by leaders on international platforms hold significant importance. In his address at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan vehemently criticized Israel's attacks in Gaza, which have led to the deaths of thousands of innocent women and children. This criticism carries substantial messages not only for Turkey but also for the international community. At the core of this critique lies a strong call for the establishment of world peace.
President Erdoğan’s remarks during his UN General Assembly speech once again reminded us of the importance of adopting a humanitarian stance against the devastation brought about by wars.
"I condemn what is happening in Gaza. Likewise, I condemn Israel's attacks on Lebanon during those times. Because it is innocent people who suffer."
Just as Israel claims it is waging war to protect its own people, should it not be natural for the countries it targets to defend themselves as well?
I believe there has never been such cruelty experienced in any war throughout history.
The entire world must be sensitive towards such tragedies and must act in unity to lay the foundations of peace not only for themselves but for all humanity. It should never be forgotten that the path to lasting peace begins with respecting humanity.
In his speech, President Erdoğan emphasized the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, underscoring that the international community must not remain indifferent to this situation. The events in Gaza are not confined to a single region; they provoke a profound reconsideration of our humanity. Particularly, women and children are the most vulnerable and frequently become the primary victims of wars. Therefore, through his historic speech, President Erdoğan called on the entire world to be mindful of this issue.
Israel's attacks in Gaza are conducted in a manner that raises questions under international law. Evaluations made by the United Nations within the framework of international human rights treaties state that attacks targeting civilians are unacceptable. As President Erdoğan highlighted, such actions are equivalent to a severe assault on humanity's dignity. Bombardments carried out by armies targeting civilian populations are aimed not only at physical destruction but also at creating psychological terror. This indicates a failure in developing a shared understanding among humanity in light of the consequences of war.
To achieve world peace, it is essential not only to remain neutral among wars but also to intervene and take necessary steps toward establishing peace. Erdoğan’s voice raised at the United Nations General Assembly is a call in this direction. Every individual, community, and country must cultivate a culture of peace by reflecting on the destruction caused by wars throughout human history. Peace is attainable not solely through the cessation of arms but by embedding itself in the hearts and minds of people.
In the later sections of his speech, President Erdoğan also touched upon the importance of international collaboration. He emphasized that organizations like the UN should play an active role in establishing peace. In this context, member countries must demonstrate an active stance rather than remaining silent in the face of human rights violations occurring in other nations. Unfortunately, in the current world, there is often excessive indifference towards such violations, sometimes overlooked due to political calculations. However, changing such attitudes is imperative for the establishment and sustainability of peace.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must set aside his show of force and, like all wars, come to the negotiating table to reach an agreement. He needs to put a stop to the chaos he has created. Because someday, the cries of those innocent children, women, and people will echo back, potentially leading to outcomes worse than even the fall of Hitler.
In these challenging times, when the world feels an economic crisis to its core, it does not deserve to endure worse consequences. Peace must come, and it must come for all the children of the world.