10.04.2026 23:50
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan strongly reacted to Israel's regulation of the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners. Describing this practice as "apartheid," Erdoğan emphasized that women and children pay the highest price in the conflicts in the Middle East and stated that Turkey will continue its struggle for justice.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted participants arriving in Istanbul for the 9th Meeting of the Women’s Branch of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) at the Presidential Dolmabahçe Office. In his speech here, President Erdoğan delivered important messages regarding both the role of women in politics and developments in the Middle East. Criticizing Israel's regulation of the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners with strong words, Erdoğan described this practice as "apartheid," emphasizing that women and children pay the highest price in the wars in the region and stated that Turkey will not give up its struggle for justice.
“THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN POLITICS IS VERY SPECIAL”
President Erdoğan met with participants at the Presidential Dolmabahçe Working Office in Istanbul as part of the 9th Meeting of the Women’s Branch of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).
Speaking at the program, Erdoğan welcomed participants from different countries in Asia and highlighted the importance of strengthening the role of women in politics.
Emphasizing that women play an important role in the success of the AK Party, Erdoğan stated that the women's branches are one of Turkey's most dynamic structures.
Noting that significant steps have been taken in many areas from women's participation in politics to the workforce, Erdoğan said that the principle of "zero tolerance" has been adopted in the fight against violence against women.
“WOMEN AND CHILDREN BEAR THE BURDEN OF WARS”
In his speech, Erdoğan also addressed developments in the Middle East, stating that women and children pay the heaviest price for wars.
Pointing out that civilians are targeted in the conflicts in Gaza, Syria, Iran, and Lebanon, Erdoğan expressed that this situation is a great tragedy for humanity.
RESPONSE TO ISRAEL'S APARTHEID
Criticizing Israel's regulation of the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners with strong words, Erdoğan used the following expressions:
“Isn't bringing the death penalty only for Palestinian prisoners a form of apartheid? Isn't this using the law as a tool for racist fascism?”
Erdoğan also argued that there is a similarity between the decision made by the Israeli Parliament and inhumane practices in history.
“THESE POLICIES ARE DISCRIMINATION, THEY ARE RACISM”
President Erdoğan stated that Israel's practices are a continuation of the oppression and extermination policies against the Palestinian people, saying, “What is being done is discrimination, it is racism. It means implementing a worse version of the apartheid regime that was dismantled in South Africa in 1994.”
“WE WILL NOT GIVE UP THE STRUGGLE”
At the end of his speech, Erdoğan delivered a message of determination, emphasizing that they will not give up the struggle for justice and rights.
“Neither today nor tomorrow will we let the banner of struggle fall to the ground,” said Erdoğan, expressing that especially raising women's voices will play a critical role in the global quest for justice.