The opening session of the conference, held in cooperation with the European Muslim Forum, the International Jerusalem Foundation, the International Union of Muslim Scholars, the State of Palestine, and the Turkish Studies Foundation, was hosted at Çırağan Palace.
The session was attended by Abdul Wahid Niyazov, President of the European Muslim Forum; Mahmoud al-Habbash, Chief Justice of Palestine and Advisor to the Palestinian President for Religious Affairs and Islamic Relations; and Israel David Weiss, Rabbi of Neturei Karta International and an activist against anti-Semitism.
The event was also attended by Ali Muhyiddin al-Qaradaghi, President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, and Sheikh Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, Grand Mufti of Palestine, in addition to representatives of political parties, civil society organizations, activists, and a large number of guests.
In a speech delivered during the opening session, the President of the European Muslim Forum expressed support for Qatar and its people in light of the Israeli airstrike on a building housing the Hamas negotiating delegation in the capital, Doha.
"Israel has spread this horrific violence throughout the Middle East, and now the genocidal Zionists have set their sights on our holy sites," Niyazov said.
He pointed out that Muslims are suffering from a crisis of silence, emphasizing the need to recognize the seriousness of Israel's threat, emphasizing that the genocide in Gaza continues and that Israel has begun attacking holy sites.
Niyazov explained that the establishment of a Palestinian state would only be achieved through unity and solidarity, and expressed his hope that the United Nations would take a stand against the targeting of holy sites.
He continued, "We want to see Palestine as an independent state. As Muslims, we look to the Turks with hope. Without your help, peace will not be achieved, and we will not be able to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque."
Niyazov concluded his speech by stressing the need to respect the rights of the three divine laws, and that they would raise their voices during the conference to demand recognition of Palestine.
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"The US administration is a partner"
For his part, Al-Habbash pointed to Israel's continued human rights violations and attacks in Gaza and the West Bank, noting that the entire world is content to watch Tel Aviv's attacks on Qatar, Yemen, Iran, and Lebanon.
Al-Habash stated that the US administration claims to seek peace, but in reality, it is a partner in Israeli attacks and provides Israel with support and international protection at the United Nations.
He explained that Israel has deprived Palestinians of the freedom to live on its land and prevented Muslims from visiting holy sites. He emphasized that the priority is to immediately halt attacks, human rights violations, and forced displacement, and to ensure that Palestinians' basic needs are met.
"They are not the same thing"
For his part, Rabbi Weiss emphasized that Israel's actions have nothing to do with Judaism, adding, "Zionists do not respect God or the Torah. They tell the world that they represent the Jews. Zionism and Judaism are not the same thing. We, the rabbis, are here for Gaza."
Weiss described Israel as a false state, continuing, "As Jews around the world, we see and understand the suffering of Muslims." He noted that Jews demonstrated "against these attacks and condemned them. We received death threats and were subjected to attacks. They (the Zionists) want to intimidate us."
For his part, Al-Qaradaghi affirmed that Palestinians are being subjected to killing and forced displacement, and that all red lines have been crossed. He explained that the massacres and inhumane practices have crossed all boundaries and shattered the hearts of humanity. He noted that not a single square centimeter of Gaza remains untouched by bombardment, calling on the world to condemn these atrocities.
Jeremy Corbyn, the former leader of the British Labour Party, also joined the online session, emphasizing that Israel's attack on Doha violated the ceasefire and that the Israeli threat to all countries had reached dangerous levels. He continued, "There is no water, no food. People are dying on the exact opposite side of Israel, where there is plenty and prosperity."
