In his speech at the Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Conference of Information Ministers, the Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun emphasised that the Israeli oppression in Gaza since October 7 is an extension of the Western, colonialist, and imperialist mindset towards the Middle East.
The Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Conference of Information Ministers (OIC) which is hosted by the Directorate of Communications, has convened under the theme "The Israeli Occupying Authority’s Disinformation and Hostilities against Journalists and Media Outlets in the Occupied Palestinian Territory" in Istanbul.
The meeting was attended by 20 ministers from 43 countries and nearly 200 high-level representatives, including heads and senior executives of communication and media outlets.
Delivering opening remarks at the meeting, which kicked off with the recitation of the Holy Quran and the screening of a short film on Israel's atrocities in Palestine, the Director of Communications Altun reminded that the Islamic Conference of Information Ministers held in 2022 addressed the truth crisis and the danger of disinformation, highlighting their significant risks for the Muslim world and humanity.
Stating that today's meeting held a significant place in the history of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Director of Communications Altun said, "Our Organisation is holding an extraordinary meeting focused on a specific sector for the first time ever. This meeting is crucial to demonstrate a unified stance against Israeli oppression and to advance a shared struggle in the realm of communication and media for the sake of the truth.”
The Director of Communications Altun said that Organisation of Islamic Cooperation was founded on Muslims' concern to pass the test of Palestine successfully, and provided information regarding the establishment of the organisation.
Pointing out that Jerusalem, the heart of the organisation, is under occupation today, the Director of Communications Altun added, "However, since October 7th, 2023, Israel has significantly escalated its acts of violence, committing the largest massacres and genocide in recorded history in Gaza and the Palestinian territories. Unfortunately, the situation remains unchanged."
The Director of Communications Altun noted that when it comes to Israel's history of oppression, it is a delusion to consider "October 7th" as a milestone or a novel incident and went on to say, "October 7th is neither a milestone nor a novel incident nor a cause.The Israeli oppression in Gaza since October 7th is a consequence."
The Director of Communications Altun underlined that Israel has been accused of committing atrocities, grave human rights violations, and massacres in the Middle East as an extension of Western, colonialist, and imperialist mindset, and added that Israel has committed various actions and violations that are considered war crimes, such as forcibly taking over land, ethnic cleansing, and intentionally targeting civilians, all in violation of international law and practices.
The Director of Communications Altun said, "Israel has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in these attacks, which killed nearly 30,000 innocent people in Gaza." stressing that Israel violated the Rome Statute, the Hague Convention and the 4th Geneva Convention.
"Despite its atrocities and massacres, Israel has been virtually granted immunity by the Western world"
The Director of Communications Altun stated that while examining Israel's crimes, one must also acknowledge the evil forces behind them and went on to say, "The primary reason Israel acts so recklessly is the injustice of the international system. The dysfunctional structure of many international organisations, most notably the United Nations, in dealing with problems and conflicts is the primary reason why Israel has not yet received the punishment it deserves. Despite its atrocities and massacres, Israel has been virtually granted immunity by the Western world. We cannot accept it."
The Director of Communications, Altun stated that the United Nations Security Council structure is incapable of preventing massacres or even reaching an agreement on a ceasefire, and said "Despite all of these violations, Israel has not faced any consequences due to its irresponsible and abusive use of the veto power within the UN Security Council. This event serves as evidence that the international system has collapsed. A revision of this system is vital.”
The Director of Communications, Altun underscored that Türkiye is adamant that an international system capable of assuming a leading role in resolving global crises and conflicts be established, and went on say "Our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's mottos "The World is Bigger than Five" and "A Fairer World is Possible" aptly capture the need for a revision in the international system. In line with this motto, the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State, which has geographical integrity and East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders, serves as the central pillar for Türkiye's stance on Palestine."
The Director of Communications Altun highlighted that without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, it is impossible to put an end to Israel's massacres and secure lasting peace in the region.
Israel's broadcasting policy that seeks to mislead the international public
Pointing out that unjust and unfair structures and practices in the international system also manifest in communication and media, Director of Communications Altun said, "There is a broadcasting policy that seeks to mislead the international public by offering so-called legitimate justifications for Israel's massacres. This broadcasting policy is, in many respects, the most tangible example of the "colonial journalism" approach that exists today. Specifically, certain Western media outlets are selective in their news sources, repeating the Israeli narrative."
The Director of Communications Altun stated that in the early days of the attacks, Palestinian testimonies were exceptionally rare, whereas Western media outlets frequently disseminated statements issued by Israeli officials, adding that with this attitude and policy, many media outlets have become a functional apparatus of the Israeli war machine.
"Israel is systematically massacring journalists in Gaza"
The Director of Communications Altun recalled that numerous journalists who advocate for the truth in opposition to Israel's position face mobbing and pressure from these media outlets, leading to many of them being fired and added, "Yet another matter is much more severe and disgraceful for humanity. Israel is systematically massacring journalists in Gaza."
The Director of Communications explained that more than 130 journalists have been massacred, their families have been targeted, over a thousand children from these journalists' families have been killed, and their homes have been bombed.
Stating that Israel's primary goal in targeting journalists on the ground is to conceal the truth, and Israel slaughters journalists to silence the truth, the Director of Communications, Altun wished Allah's mercy on journalists who lost their lives.
The Director of Communications Altun stressed that another method used by Israel for this purpose is disinformation and said, "Last week, the World Economic Forum published a Global Risks Perception Survey-2024 report. Based on the analysis of 1500 experts, the report predicts ten significant risks in the short, medium and long term. According to this report, the most severe risk to humanity is disinformation and misinformation. Similar predictions have been made in studies conducted by numerous major universities, strategic think tanks and information centres."
"We will never let the Palestinian cause be erased from the international agenda."
Stressing that Israel's attacks and disinformation activities confirm these reports, Director of Communications Altun said, "As Türkiye, we are making every effort to combat the threats posed by disinformation. Our Centre for Combating Disinformation, which operates under the Directorate of Communications, and Anadolu Agency's "Fact Check Line" are working to eliminate these threats. With our international publications, innovative exhibitions, and films, we take historical note of the disinformation spread by Israel and pro-Israeli media outlets."
The Director of Communications Altun stated that media outlets and organizations, especially Anadolu Agency and TRT, make great sacrifices to convey the facts and said "That Anadolu Agency’s photos are being used as evidence before the International Court of Justice demonstrates the importance of each step in this direction."
Explaining their belief that strong cooperation is required for efforts in the fields of combating disinformation, public diplomacy, strategic communication, and field reporting, Director of Communications Altun indicated that these steps are vital in ensuring that Israel pays for its crimes.
The Director of Communications Altun highlighted that the comprehensive cooperation formed among the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's member states will undoubtedly amplify and strengthen these efforts and said, "Whatever the cost, we will continue to share evidence to expose Israel's barbarism, its war crimes and its policy of genocide, not only in Gaza but throughout Palestine. We will persist in our efforts. We believe that Israel will never be able to silence the truth with its atrocities."
The Director of Communications Altun recalled the following lines from poet Sezai Karakoç, "They think that if we remain silent, there will be no issue. However, even if we remain silent, history will not. Even if history remains silent, the truth will not." and said, "We, as Muslim countries, shall persist in proclaiming the truth. We will never let the Palestinian cause be erased from the international agenda. We will continue to shed light on the darkness that Israel has created to conceal its crimes. 'Darkness flees from light; lies flee from the truth' as once said by the poet. Israel is also fleeing from the light and the truth. But this flight will not spare Israel from being condemned before history and truth."
The Director of Communications Altun expressed his hope that this historic meeting, convened in extraordinary circumstances, would lead to historic and encouraging results for the entire Muslim world, particularly the Palestinians and said "The Final Communique we will issue as the concrete outcome of this meeting will send a powerful message to the international community."
In their bilateral meetings and remarks at the conference, the information ministers of the OIC member states expressed their appreciation and gratitude for Türkiye's fight against Israel's disinformation activities.
