The foreign press extensively covered President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's speech at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, when he urged the international community to address the Gaza situation.
In its headline, Reuters used President Erdoğan's conclusion that the UN system and the values that the West claims to defend are dying in Gaza.
It was reported that Erdoğan reiterated in the address his harsh criticism of Israel over its military campaign in the Gaza strip and of the Western countries for their support to Israel, calling for an "alliance of humanity" to stop Israel.
The article quoted President Erdoğan as saying, "Not only children are dying in Gaza; the United Nations system is also dying, the truth is dying, the values that the West claims to defend are dying, the hopes of humanity to live in a fairer world are dying one by one."
Referring to President Erdoğan's statement on the ceasefire efforts in the region, the article quoted him as saying, "Those who are supposedly working for a ceasefire in the limelight continue to send weapons and ammunition to Israel behind the stage, so that it can continue its massacres. This is inconsistency and insincerity."
The British broadcaster BBC reported that President Erdoğan accused Israel of dragging the region into war and stated that not only children but also the UN system is dying in Gaza.
Al Jazeera's English-language website headlined President Erdoğan's statement that "UN and Western values are dying in Gaza." According to the report, President Erdoğan lashed out at the United Nations for inaction on Gaza and accused Israel of turning the Palestinian territory into the “world’s largest children’s and women’s cemetery.”
"I am asking you frankly from here… Are the ones in Gaza, the ones in the West Bank not human beings? The children in Palestine, do they not have rights?" the report quoted President Erdoğan as saying and urging the international community to stop "(Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu and his murder network." The news report highlighted President Erdoğan's comparison of Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler, stating: "Just as Hitler was stopped by the alliance of humanity 70 years ago, Netanyahu and his murder network must be stopped by the alliance of humanity."
The US
The US CNN television headlined President Erdoğan'sopinion that "the UN system is dying in Gaza" and quoted him as saying, "Not only children are dying in Gaza; the United Nations system is also dying, the truth is dying, the values that the west claims to defend are dying, the hopes of humanity to live in a fairer world are dying one by one." The article pointed out that President Erdoğan called for world leaders to stop Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pursuit of the war and criticised countries who support the Israeli government.
The news source cited President Erdoğan's statement: “United Nations Security Council! What are you waiting for to prevent the genocide in Gaza and to say stop to this cruelty, this barbarianism?"
In a video clip titled "Türkiye's Erdoğan criticises Israel at UN speech," which was uploaded on its website, Bloomberg TV quoted President Erdoğan as saying:
"Ignoring basic human rights, the Israeli government is practising ethnic cleansing, an overt genocide against a nation, a people, and occupying their territory step by step. Palestinians, whose freedom, independence and the most basic rights have been usurped, are very rightly exercising their legitimate right of resistance against this occupation and these ethnic cleansing activities. The rightful resistance of the Palestinian people against those who occupy their land is too noble, honourable, heroic to be portrayed as illegitimate.
The countries that have an influence over Israel are openly becoming accomplices of this massacre with the policy of 'run with the hare, hunt with the hounds.' Those who are supposedly working for a ceasefire in the limelight continue to send weapons and ammunition to Israel behind the stage, so that it can continue its massacres.
Spain
President Erdoğan's remarks at the UN General Assembly received extensive coverage in the Spanish press. President Erdoğan's comparison of Netanyahu to Hitler and his condemnation of countries that back Israel were prominently featured in Spanish newspapers and television broadcasts.
The Spanish state-owned television broadcaster RTVE reported, "President Erdoğan compared Netanyahu to Hitler and urged the United Nations to stop him. Additionally, he accused countries that support Israel of being complicit in massacres in Gaza."
While a headline from El Periódico read, "Erdoğan states: Just as Hitler was stopped by the alliance of humanity 70 years ago, Netanyahu and his murder network must also be stopped by the alliance of humanity." Another one from El País said, "Erdoğan criticises lack of action taken by international institutions against the Gaza crisis."
Additionally, Cadena Ser radio reported that "The President of Türkiye urged for an alliance of humanity to put an end to the war, asserting that Netanyahu must be stopped. In his speech, Erdoğan expressed his disapproval of the UN's value system and said that the values the West claims to defend are dying in Gaza."
"Erdoğan asks UN to stop Netanyahu, the same as Hitler," Heraldo newspaper headlined, noting that "Erdoğan accused the UN Security Council of not intervening against Netanyahu and condemned the countries that provide support to Israel."
France
French media outlets also reported that President Erdoğan compared Netanyahu to Hitler and highlighted his remark, "Just as Hitler was stopped by the alliance of humanity 70 years ago, Netanyahu and his murder network must be stopped by the alliance of humanity."
La Dépêche newspaper observed that President Erdoğan slammed the United Nations in his address to the UN General Assembly, featuring the statement, "Not only children are dying in Gaza; the United Nations system is also dying." The report in L'Humanité newspaper underscored how President Erdoğan stated that the UN system had become a "dysfunctional structure" and was dying in Gaza. President Erdoğan's criticism of the UN system was also emphasised by the French television channel BFMTV, which quoted him as stating, "the UN system is dying in Gaza."
Italy
President Erdoğan's address at the UN General Assembly was reported on the front page of one of Italy's most widely circulated newspapers, La Repubblica, with the headline "Erdoğan's outburst against the West." The following pages of the newspaper reported that President Erdoğan, in his address to the United Nations, emphasised that the West's "indifference and complicity" in the Middle East are causing its values to die.
Noting that President Erdoğan had twice since 2018 drawn parallels between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Dictator Adolf Hitler of Nazi Germany, the statement "Just as Hitler was stopped by the alliance of humanity 70 years ago, Netanyahu and his murder network must be stopped by the alliance of humanity," was highlighted. The news article also reported President Erdoğan as calling the "Last Supper" performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic opening ceremony "scandalous."
Germany
The report published in the Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper read, "President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel in front of the UN General Assembly, drawing comparisons between him and Adolf Hitler. In his address delivered in New York, President Erdoğan said, 'Just as Hitler was stopped by the alliance of humanity 70 years ago, Netanyahu and his murder network must be stopped by the alliance of humanity.'"
The television channel Welt also cited President Erdoğan as comparing Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler and as stating: "Just as Hitler was stopped by the alliance of humanity 70 years ago, Netanyahu and his murder network must be stopped by the alliance of humanity."
The Netherlands
The Dutch newspaper AD featured President Erdoğan'sremarks that "Just as Hitler was stopped by the alliance of humanity 70 years ago, Netanyahu and his murder network must be stopped by the alliance of humanity." The story also referenced President Erdoğan's statements that Israel was dragging the entire region into a war.
The news article reported President Erdoğan's criticism of the international community, where he stated, "In Gaza, not only are children dying, but also the United Nations system and the values that the West claims to defend." It also included his call for the recognition of Palestine as an independent state.
Belgium
"Erdoğan compares Netanyahu to Hitler" was the headline of a news article on the website of the Dutch-language Het Laatste Nieuws (HLN) newspaper. The article went on to say, "President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye harshly criticised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel in his address to the UN General Assembly," and included President Erdoğan's remarks about how, just as Hitler was stopped by the alliance of humanity 70 years ago, Netanyahu and his murder network must be stopped by the alliance of humanity.
The French-language news website "7 sur 7" reported on President Erdoğan's address under the headline "Erdoğan compares Netanyahu to Hitler: 'He and his murder network must be stopped'." The article also cited President Erdoğan'sassessment that the UN system is dying in Gaza.
Austria
President Erdoğan's address at the United Nations was reported by Kronen, one of the country's biggest-selling tabloids, under the headline "Erdoğan compares Netanyahu to Hitler at UN." The news article, which also included an excerpt of President Erdoğan's speech, emphasised Erdoğan'sstatement that Netanyahu should be stopped in the same way as Hitler was stopped 70 years ago. The news article, which featured notable parts of President Erdoğan's speech, also revealed the discomfort expressed by Austria's Foreign Ministry in response to the Hitler analogy.
The Balkans
The internet portal of Bosnia and Herzegovina's most-read newspaper, Dnevni Avaz, posted President Erdoğan's address to the UN General Assembly under the headline "Erdoğan: Netanyahu should be stopped in the same way as Hitler was stopped 70 years ago." The news story highlighted President Erdoğan's remark, "Just as Hitler was stopped by the alliance of humanity 70 years ago, Netanyahu and his murder network must be stopped by the alliance of humanity," and featured key points from his address.
President Erdoğan's address at the United Nations, in which he advocated for sanctions against Israel and declared that "moral values are dying in Gaza," was also emphasised by Klix, the most widely read news portal in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Serbia's state news agency Tanjug reported that President Erdoğan urged humanity to stop the genocide in Gaza at the United Nations.
Croatian media also cited President Erdoğan, who stated that "UN and Western values are dying in Gaza."
It was reported by the North Macedonian Information Agency (MIA) that President Erdoğan called for sanctions against Israel.
An Albanian-language news outlet of the country, Flaka, highlighted President Erdoğan's statement, "Just as Hitler was stopped by the alliance of humanity 70 years ago, Netanyahu and his murder network must be stopped by the alliance of humanity."
The headline "Erdoğan calls for 'alliance of humanity' to stop genocide in Gaza prior to UN General Assembly" appeared in the newspaper Večer.
One of the major news portals in Kosovo, Telegrafi, headlined President Erdoğan's address with the quote, "Humanity can stop Netanyahu as it stopped Hitler." Additionally, the article referenced President Erdoğan's statement that "the countries that have an influence over Israel are openly becoming accomplices of this massacre."
Reporting on President Erdoğan's address, another news portal, Kosovapost, opted for the headline "Netanyahu, just as Hitler, must be stopped by the alliance of humanity."
Greece
The Porto Thema newspaper reported that during his address to the UN General Assembly, President Erdoğan called on the international community to recognise the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) while emphasising the significance of the limitation of maritime jurisdiction areas under international law. The report additionally covered President Erdoğan's invitation to other states that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine to do so as soon as possible.
The Kathimerini daily reported that President Erdoğan addressed the issues of the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean, and Cyprus, stating, "We want to see the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean as a region of stability and prosperity where the legitimate interests of all parties concerned are respected." The news portal reported that President Erdoğan discussed Middle East developments in his UN address and strongly criticised Israel, especially Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, calling the events in Gaza and Lebanon "massacres."
The news website Cnn.gr also ran the headline "Erdoğan'snew provocation at the UN: He calls on the international community to recognise the so-called state (TRNC)." The article argued that President Erdoğan's phrase "peace operation" was unacceptable.
The United Arab Emirates
Asharq News, based in the UAE, covered lengthy excerpts of President Erdoğan's UN speech.
The website quoted President Erdoğan as saying, "The UN has failed to fulfil its founding mission" and that "the most obvious example of this is Gaza," adding that the UN has not fulfilled its founding mission and is gradually turning into a dysfunctional structure.
The website noted that President Erdoğan discussed the events in Gaza and cited his statement that Israel deliberately targeted UN officials and aid workers in Gaza as he recalled that Israel hit dozens of hospitals and schools. According to the news story, President Erdoğan recalled an incident where an Israeli envoy tore apart the UN charter during a speech at the UN months ago.
Jordan
The Jordanian state-owned Al Mamlaka news portal reported on President Erdoğan's statement that "not only children but also the UN system are dying in Gaza" and that "Gaza has become the world's largest cemetery for children and women." According to Al Mamlaka TV, President Erdoğan accused Israel of dragging the entire region into a war and emphasisedhis support for the Lebanese people.
Lebanon
The Nahar daily in Lebanon released lengthy parts from President Erdoğan's UN speech. Pointing to President Erdoğan's remarks that Israel is dragging the entire region into a war, the daily emphasised that the UN system, which failed to prevent the war, is dying in Gaza.
Qatar
The news site of Qatar-based Al Jazeera television published President Erdoğan's statement under the headline, "Netanyahu and his murder network must be stopped by the alliance of humanity."
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's al-Sharq al-Aawsat newspaper highlighted President Erdoğan's statement that Israel is dragging the entire region into a war, noting that Türkiye expressed support for Gaza and Lebanon.
Erdoğan's address to the UN General Assembly
During his address to the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, President Erdoğan stated that hundreds of Gazan children have died so far because they were not able to find a bite of dry bread, a sip of water, or a bowl of soup, and they are still dying.
President Erdoğan underlined that not only children are dying in Gaza; the United Nations system is also dying, the truth is dying, the values that the West claims to defend are dying, and the hopes of humanity to live in a fairer world are dying one by one, adding, "Human Rights Organisations! I am asking you frankly from here. Are the ones in Gaza, the ones in the West Bank, not human beings? The children in Palestine, do they not have the right to study, live, and play in the streets? International press organisations! The journalists that Israel massacred on live TV, whose offices were raided, are they not your colleagues? The United Nations Security Council! What are you waiting for to prevent the genocide in Gaza and to say “stop” to this cruelty, this barbarism? What more are you waiting for to stop the massacre network that endangers also the lives of its own citizens along with the Palestinian people and drags the entire region into war for the sake of its political prospects? And those who unconditionally support Israel! For how long will you continue to bear the shame of looking at this massacre, of being its accomplices?"
President Erdoğan said, "Just as Hitler was stopped by the alliance of humanity 70 years ago, Netanyahu and his murder network must be stopped by the “alliance of humanity,” underlining that there should be no more credit given to Israel's distraction and deception moves and that in an environment where United Nations Security Council Resolution 2735 is not being implemented, coercive measures against Israel should be put on the agenda.