11.04.2025 16:21
In his remarks regarding the genocide perpetrated by Israel in Gaza, President Erdoğan stated, "If the ruthless slaughter of innocent babies, children, and women struggling to survive among the rubble is not cowardice, then I ask, what is it? Let us put our hands on our conscience and please ask ourselves this question: Does a legitimate state act this way, even in war?"
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In his statements at the official opening ceremony of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, President Erdoğan made striking evaluations regarding the genocide perpetrated by Israel in Gaza.
"LET'S ASK OURSELVES THIS QUESTION"
In his speech, Erdoğan described Israel as a terrorist state, saying, "If killing innocent babies, children, and women struggling to survive among the ruins is not cowardice, then I ask, what is it? Is it not cruelty to bomb a people that you have imprisoned in a 360-kilometer area, without allowing humanitarian aid, regardless of whether they are children, women, the elderly, or civilians? Let us put our hands on our conscience and please ask ourselves this question. Does a legitimate state act this way, even in war? Isn't this called state terrorism? That is why Israel is a terrorist state. It cannot be called anything else," he said.
Highlights from Erdoğan's statements;
"I thank our guests who have honored our forum from all corners of the world and wish that the valuable program lasting three days will be a blessing for the whole world. I wholeheartedly congratulate our Ministry, which successfully organized the 4th forum, which has become a global brand where the pulse of diplomacy is increasing, and Mr. Hakan Fidan and my colleagues."
"WE ARE PLEASED WITH THE INTENSE INTEREST"
I hope that the meetings to be held within the framework of the forum, organized under the theme of embracing diplomacy in a divided world, will provide us all with a fruitful perspective. We are particularly pleased with the intense interest in the forum, which is among the leading events in the field of foreign policy and international relations in the world. The messages of peace and friendship we send from Antalya position the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in a different place compared to its counterparts. Throughout the three days, thousands of participants will exchange ideas on critical regional issues and discuss solutions.
"THE WORLD IS BIGGER THAN FIVE BECAUSE HUMANITY IS BIGGER THAN FIVE"
It seems that we need to highlight the humanitarian entrepreneurial spirit of diplomacy and the ability to plan for the future more. The world is bigger than five because humanity is bigger than five. Our aim in making this observation is to establish such an understanding. Turkey, due to its experience, historical human, cultural richness, and depth, is one of the countries that can convey this message to the world most comfortably.
"WE ARE THE OWNERS OF THIS GEOGRAPHY"
We are in a country that is prone to crises. The geography that was most battered and negatively affected by the destructive competition among great powers from the First World War to the Cold War was again this one. Today, many issues that dominate the agenda of international politics, such as wars, crises, and tensions, are again occurring in our immediate vicinity.
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