President Erdoğan addressed the world at the UN General Assembly! Strong response to Israel.

23.09.2025 18:40

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the world at the 80th UN General Assembly meeting. Presenting images of the suffering inflicted on civilians in the Gaza Strip, Erdoğan reacted strongly against Israel, stating, "Genocide is ongoing in Gaza, and more than 20,000 of the dead are children. Humanity has not witnessed such brutality in the last century. The Israeli administration has completely lost control."

The leaders and high-level representatives of the member countries of the United Nations (UN) gathered in New York for the historic session of the 80th General Assembly, where President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, representing Turkey, made important statements.

Highlights from President Erdoğan's statements:

"At the very beginning of my speech, I want to express my sadness over the absence of Palestinian President Mr. Mahmoud Abbas among us at a time when Palestine is being recognized by an increasing number of countries. We are here at this podium to also voice the silenced Palestinian people alongside our own citizens. I thank all countries that have declared they will recognize the State of Palestine and call on those that have not yet made this decision to take action as soon as possible.

The United Nations Charter was signed 80 years ago in San Francisco and came into force on October 24, 1945. I would like to remind you of the first words of the first article of the UN founding charter: "The purpose of the United Nations is to maintain international peace and security." Yes, while we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations in this hall, grave events are occurring in many parts of the world that overshadow the first words of the first article of the founding charter.

"GENOCIDE HAS BEEN CONTINUING IN GAZA FOR OVER 700 DAYS"

While we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the UN in this hall, grave events are occurring in many parts of the world that overshadow the first words of the first article of the founding charter. Especially in Gaza, genocide has been continuing for over 700 days right before our eyes. Even while we are in a meeting, civilians are being slaughtered in Gaza. The number of civilians killed in Gaza has exceeded 65,000. It is still unknown how many bodies are under the rubble. More than 20,000 of the deceased are children. For the last 23 months, every hour, yes, every hour, a child is ruthlessly taken from life by Israel in Gaza. These are not just numbers, friends; they are all lives, innocent people. Right now, people are being killed not only by weapons but also by the weapon of hunger. In the 21st century, under the gaze of the civilized world, 428 people, including 146 children, have died of hunger, and the number is increasing every day.

SHOWED PHOTOS: CAN THERE BE A REASONABLE EXCUSE FOR SUCH CRUELTY?

Now I will show you a photo depicting daily life in Gaza. The first photo shows women with basins in their hands. Let us all put our hands on our conscience and answer: Can there be a reasonable excuse for such cruelty in 2025? However, this shameful scene has been repeating every day in Gaza for 23 months in the name of humanity.

Every day, 2.5 million Gazans living in an area of 365 square kilometers are displaced, forced to migrate to another region. Gaza's health infrastructure has completely collapsed. Doctors have been killed or detained. Ambulances have been hit, hospitals have been bombed and destroyed. Treatment is impossible, operations are impossible, finding medicine is impossible. Friends, I say this with a heavy heart as Tayyip Erdoğan: Innocent children, only 2-3 years old, without hands, arms, or legs, have unfortunately become the ordinary picture of Gaza today.

"THIS IS THE LOWEST POINT OF HUMANITY"

What conscience can endure this? What conscience can remain silent about this? Can there be peace in a world where children die from hunger and lack of medicine? We are all parents. We have children and grandchildren that we cherish. Here, in America, in Europe, everywhere in the world, if a child gets a small thorn in their hand, parents' hearts ache, but in Gaza, children's hands, arms, and legs are amputated without anesthesia. No one should take offense, but this is the lowest point of humanity.

Humanity has not witnessed such a barbarity in the last century. Everything is happening right before our eyes. The genocide in Gaza is being broadcast live every moment through media and social media. Israel has deliberately killed 250 journalists working in national and international media in Gaza so far. It has banned all entries to Gaza, yet it could not hide the genocide. I wholeheartedly support Secretary-General Mr. Guterres, who draws attention to the ongoing genocide in Palestinian territories at every opportunity, and I congratulate him once again for his courage. However, the United Nations has unfortunately failed to protect even its own staff in Gaza. 500 people who rushed to help people in Gaza have been killed, and 326 of them are United Nations personnel.

Look, genocide is a shameful, inhumane, barbaric concept used for the mass extermination of people, just like the Holocaust. However, today in Gaza, not only are people being killed. Animals are being targeted and killed in Gaza. Agricultural lands, gardens, trees, grasses in Gaza, centuries-old olive trees are being destroyed. Waters in Gaza are being destroyed and polluted. Buildings, homes, libraries, hospitals, schools, mosques, churches, historical sites in Gaza are being deliberately demolished. The land of Gaza is being rendered useless for humans, animals, and plants.

"GAZA IS BEING DESTROYED UNDER THE PRETEXT OF HAMAS"

Here is another photo for you. Now I ask you: What does the photo I have in my hand have to do with the search for security? Isn't this enmity towards life? I openly express from this podium: There is no war in Gaza. There cannot be two sides in Gaza. On one side, there is a regular army with the most modern and deadly weapons, and on the other side, there are innocent civilians, innocent children. This is not a fight against terrorism. This is an occupation, displacement, exile, genocide, in short, a policy of mass slaughter carried out under the pretext of the October 7 incident. Today, while Gaza is being destroyed under the pretext of Hamas, the West Bank, where Hamas is not in power, is also being gradually occupied, and innocent civilians are being killed in executions.

"NETANYAHU HAS NO INTENTION OF MAKING PEACE"

Moreover, Israel does not limit itself to Gaza and the West Bank; it threatens regional peace by launching attacks on Syria, Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon. Most recently, an Israeli attack occurred against the delegation that was meeting in Qatar for ceasefire negotiations.

It has shown that the Israeli administration has completely lost control regarding the attacks on Qatar. It has once again become clear that Netanyahu has no intention of making peace or rescuing hostages. Not only neighboring countries but all countries in the Middle East are facing the reckless threats of the Israeli government.

Let us also realize this: Due to Israel's increasing aggressiveness, the values that emerged in the West, especially in Europe, after World War II have also been severely damaged. The most fundamental human rights; concepts such as freedom of expression, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and protest, women's rights, children's rights, democracy, equality, and justice have been put on the shelf. At this point, we all must see this reality. Dear friends, the Israeli administration, which acts with the obsession of "promised lands," is targeting regional peace and the common gains of humanity with an expansionist policy.

The holy city of Jerusalem, which is a sacred place for the three Abrahamic religions and a common heritage of humanity, is a direct target of this radicalism. This state of madness, which disturbs conscientious Jews and is not approved by them, moreover fuels anti-Semitism worldwide, can no longer continue. A ceasefire must be established in Gaza as soon as possible, attacks must stop, and humanitarian aid must be allowed to enter without obstruction. The perpetrators of genocide must be held accountable under international law. Hopefully, this will definitely happen. Everyone who does not raise their voice against the barbarity in Gaza and does not take a stand is complicit in the responsibility for this savagery.

From here, I sincerely call out to all heads of state and government: The day is today. Today is the day to stand firm alongside the oppressed Palestinians on behalf of humanity. While your people react to the barbarity in Gaza, let you also show your courage step by step. Fulfill your humanitarian duty towards the children in Gaza, where children are raised. On this occasion, I send my heartfelt greetings to all defenders of Palestine, who fill the squares in different countries of the world to support the oppressed people of Gaza, and who set sail to support the innocent people of Gaza; with academics, artists, politicians, activists, and students.

"THE PEOPLE OF SYRIA WILL, INSHALLAH, DELIVER THE VICTORY THEY HAVE ACHIEVED TO ITS DESTINATION"

For 13 years, I have spoken to you from this podium about the oppression and conflicts happening in our neighbor Syria. Just as we raise our voices for the oppressed people of Gaza today, we have drawn attention to the cries of Syrians for 13 years. Here, we have been their voice and breath. The oppression that caused the death of 1 million people and forced millions to leave their homeland has, thank God, now become history with the December 8 revolution. Our Syrian brothers have opened the doors to a new era as of December 8. I believe that the Syrian people, who have won the struggle against a blood-stained regime, will also deliver the victory they have achieved at great cost to its destination, inshallah.

We will support the vision of a united and secure Syria, where there is no terrorism, especially ISIS, with all our means. As stability is rooted in Syria, undoubtedly, the winners will be the Syrians along with all neighboring countries and our entire region. I would like to express my gratitude to the brotherly countries in the Gulf for their contributions to Syria's recovery. We will, inshallah, continue our cooperation with all regional and international actors who share the same principles as us.

"OUR REGION CANNOT BEAR ANOTHER CRISIS"

Dear friends, we hope that the nuclear file concerning our neighbor Iran will be resolved as soon as possible through diplomacy. It should not be forgotten that our region cannot bear another crisis. The stability, security, and prosperity of our neighbor Iraq are of extraordinary importance for the safety of our region. We attach great importance to strategic moves that prioritize collective prosperity, such as the Development Path project. In the north, we are hosting the Istanbul process with great enthusiasm between our two neighbors, Russia and Ukraine. Through direct negotiations, we have facilitated the exchange of many prisoners and remains. We have tried to determine the modalities of peace negotiations between the parties. Remember, "the winner of war is not the loser of a just peace," and we will continue to strive for a ceasefire in the upcoming period.

We have encouraged the parties from the very beginning to establish peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We are pleased with the steps taken towards lasting peace between the two countries on August 8. I would like to congratulate President Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Pashinyan of Armenia, as well as President Trump of the United States, who contributed to the process, once again here. On this occasion, I would also like to express that the normalization process between our country and Armenia is progressing on its own track. In our other mediation effort, within the framework of the Ankara process, we are continuing our efforts to resolve the conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia. I hope the parties will quickly and successfully conclude this initiative.

Dear delegates, we have been implementing the Montreux Convention, which guarantees security in the Black Sea, with complete neutrality for exactly 89 years. We want to see the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean as a basin of stability and prosperity where the legitimate interests of all relevant parties are respected. We are ready for constructive cooperation in all matters, especially energy and the environment. We expect the same from our neighbors.

On this occasion, I want to emphasize that projects excluding Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean will not succeed. Turkey has rights and authorities in the areas surrounding the island, and the Turkish Cypriots have legitimate rights. The Eastern Mediterranean Conference, which we have previously proposed, will contribute to finding a common ground.

"TURKISH CYPRIOTS ARE EQUAL OWNERS OF THE ISLAND"

The solution to the Cyprus issue cannot be built on the federation model, which has been tried many times before but has been exhausted due to the uncompromising attitude of the Greek side. There are two separate states and two separate peoples on the island of Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriots are equal owners of the island and will not accept being a minority.

The international community must put an end to the unjust isolation that Turkish Cypriots have been subjected to for half a century. I repeat my call made at the last three United Nations General Assemblies today; I invite the international community to recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and to establish diplomatic, political, and economic relations.

In the upcoming period, we desire a new beginning and vision in Turkey-European Union relations.

This vision should not be one that merely saves the day, but one that redefines the horizon and shapes our common future. For this, it is essential that the European Union is as willing and determined as we are.

As a net security provider country, we continue to contribute to the operations and missions of the United Nations, NATO, OSCE, and the European Union. We will host the NATO summit in Ankara in 2026. We are strengthening our relations with our NATO ally, the United States of America, in many areas, primarily trade, investment, energy, and defense industry. The peace, stability, and prosperity of our brother countries in our ancestral homeland, Central Asia, are indispensable for us. Our Organization of Turkish States is progressing towards becoming a global actor, going beyond being a regional framework. We are making intense efforts to ensure peace and stability in the Balkans, where we have deep-rooted human ties. The Balkan Peace Platform, which we established in July, is the latest example of our efforts in this direction. We will once again take over the command of KFOR in October this year.

It is our fundamental desire for the administration in Afghanistan to exhibit an inclusive and considerate understanding of society. It is crucial that the international community does not leave the Afghan people alone during the recovery process. As Turkey and the Turkish nation, we will continue to stand by our Afghan brothers at all times.

We consider the preservation of peace and stability in South Asia to be extremely important. We are pleased with the ceasefire reached in April amid the tensions that escalated into conflict between Pakistan and India. We value cooperation in the fight against terrorism between the two countries. We support the resolution of the Kashmir issue through dialogue, based on the decisions of the United Nations Security Council, in line with the expectations of our Kashmiri brothers.