Director of Communications Altun said, "The world cannot turn a blind eye to the humanitarian tragedy in Palestine. Our joint endeavours are essential to bring the issue to the attention of the international community."
Presidency's Director of Communications, Fahrettin Altun sent a letter to the information ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, calling for solidarity for Palestine.
Assuming the position of term president of the 12th Conference of the Ministers of Information of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Altun called on the information ministers of the organization's member states to address the ongoing attacks and disinformation campaigns targeting Palestine.
In his letter, the Director of Communications Altun mentioned that Türkiye condemns the ongoing Israeli military aggression against the Palestinian people and calls for an unconditional cease-fire to prevent further loss of life. He additionally expressed that, supporting the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, they reaffirm the statements of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Emphasising that they strongly reject the efforts by the international media outlets to whitewash the blatant violation of human rights, Director of Communications Altun went on to say,
"As the truth is blurred and widespread disinformation misleads the public, we call on the Information Ministers of the OIC member states to enhance our collective efforts to combat disinformation regarding the recent indiscriminate actions committed towards the Palestinians. The world cannot turn a blind eye to the humanitarian tragedy in Palestine. Our joint endeavours are essential to bring the issue to the attention of the international community. Türkiye welcomes the Islamic world’s efforts to support the Palestinian cause and end the barbaric atrocities against civilians. The strong reaction to Israel’s atrocities by the international community is significant for raising awareness of the issue."
Director of Communications Altun recalled that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the Extraordinary Meeting of the Executive Committee of the OIC held in Jeddah concretely demonstrated the determination of the Islamic world in the face of Israel's increasing oppression. He also indicated that President Erdoğan also stressed that the recent heinous attack on Al-Ahli Arabi Hospital constitutes a crime against humanity and called for a humanitarian cease-fire.
"The violation of basic human rights should not be tolerated"
Stressing that the collective punishment of the Palestinian people who are deprived of food, water, and electricity is a breach of international law, Director of Communications Altun said, "The international community must take steps against the atrocities occurring before our eyes. Hundreds of children lost their lives and thousands of children’s hopes for the future are dashed."
Director of Communications Altun communicated that, as highlighted by the Executive Committee of the OIC, the failure of the United Nations Security Council to fulfil its responsibilities is also concerning to Türkiye, and went on to say,
"The violation of basic human rights should not be tolerated. The world should not forget that human rights apply to everyone We must enhance efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians. Our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has long been stressing that the realisation of an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital, should not be further delayed. The lasting peace in the Middle East will only be possible with the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict."
The Director of Communications remarked that Israel’s brutal attacks on the Palestinians and the biased portrayal of the unprecedented tragedy once again pointed to the need for providing the public with correct information.
"Islamophobia is fueled by disinformation"
Emphasising that efforts to build resilience against disinformation are of utmost significance for raising awareness about the atrocities and putting an end to the suffering of civilians, Director of Communications Altun made the following statement:
"We must note that the information environment is filled with false narratives obscuring the breach of international law. In tandem with the recent conflicts between Palestine and Israel, we are going through a period in which racist attacks and hate speech against Muslims may become widespread. Unfortunately, in such environments of armed conflict, Islamophobic sentiments, which are intentionally fueled by disinformation campaigns, can find larger platforms.
The uncontrollable dissemination of disinformation on social media is a factor that fuels Islamophobia in the international arena. A situation such as this makes it clear that innovative steps and global solidarity are needed to combat Islamophobia. Therefore, the entire world must recognise Islamophobia as a hate crime and combat it effectively. Not only are Muslims fundamentally responsible for combating this crime, but so is the international community. In this regard, it is crucial that we, as members of the OIC, are at the forefront of this struggle."
Pointing out that as members of the OIC, bound by strong religious, human, and historical ties, they must foster their cooperation in combating hatred against Islam, the Director of Communications said, "We must raise our strongest voice against killings of innocent civilians and act in solidarity to stop the massacre in Gaza."
The Director of Communications called upon all humanity and the international community to take action to stop this unprecedented brutality in Gaza and stated that he wished to count on the Information Minister's valuable support for the ongoing initiatives aimed at combating hatred against Islam on all international platforms.