The statement was issued at the initiative of the Education Above All Foundation, chaired by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, to coincide with the International Day to Protect Education from Attack. A number of wives of heads of state and officials from international organizations also co-signed the statement, in light of what the statement described as a "catastrophic year" for education in conflict zones, most notably Gaza.
The statement came following the emergency Arab-Islamic summit hosted by Doha on September 15, with Emine Erdoğan accompanying the Turkish President at the summit.
The joint statement emphasized that the Israeli aggression on Gaza not only targets civilians, but also deliberately targets schools, universities, and libraries, as part of what it described as "educational genocide" aimed at erasing the cultural and intellectual identity of Palestinians.
In a comment on her account on the Turkish platform "InSocial," Emine Erdoğan said, "Every child deprived of education is a part of our future that is being taken away. We believe in a world where every child encounters books, notebooks, and classrooms, not fear and destruction."
The Turkish First Lady added, "We believe wholeheartedly that children who heal through education will build a more just future, and we call on all people of conscience to join this call."
The statement concluded with the participants pledging to continue efforts to provide safe educational opportunities for children affected by war, and to work to end violations of their basic rights to education and life.
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The signing of the statement is an extension of Emine Erdoğan's efforts in supporting the Palestinian cause. She has previously organized and hosted international events, most notably the "One Heart for Palestine" summit in Istanbul in November 2023, attended by the wives of presidents and leaders from around the world. She also led the "Women for Peace in Palestine" meeting in 2009, which resulted in the issuance of the "Istanbul Call to Support Gaza" statement.
In May 2020, the United Nations General Assembly officially recognized the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, a Qatari initiative led by the Education Above All Foundation.
This resolution, which was supported by 62 member states, designated September 9 as the United Nations International Day to Protect Education from Attack.
It is worth noting that the Gaza Strip is one of the areas in the world where educational facilities are most targeted by the Israeli occupation army.
With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving 65,174 martyrs and 166,071 wounded, most of them children and women, and a famine that has claimed the lives of 440 Palestinians, including 148 children.
