During his speech at today’s Bosphorus Diplomacy Forum, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pointed out that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed an empty UN General Assembly hall in response to Israel's aggression against Gaza.
"An atrocious and disgraceful genocide has been unfolding for two years in Gaza before the very eyes of the world. Peaceful civilians are being bombed, and starvation is being recklessly used as a weapon of mass destruction in Gaza," Erdoğan remarked. The Turkish leader added that "Netanyahu had to address empty seats in the hall of the United Nations General Assembly," noting that it is imperative "to stop the monster." The Turkish President also emphasised that more than 150 countries, including Britain, Australia, Canada, and Portugal, as well as Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, San Marino, and France, recognise Palestine as a state. Stating that 'Recognising Palestine is for sure a crucial step, even if belated,' Erdoğan called on the international community to 'self-reflect' for failing to react earlier. Netanyahu, on the other hand, accusing world leaders of 'rewarding terrorists,' vowed to respond to statements calling for the unilateral recognition of Palestine at the end of the General Assembly sessions.