This came in a speech delivered by President Erdogan during his participation in the opening of the Turkish Parliament's legislative session in the capital, Ankara.
Erdogan explained that the Turkish Parliament had expressed the strongest response to the genocide in Gaza and the state terrorism practiced by Israel in the region.
He emphasized that Parliament passed the Gaza test in a manner befitting Türkiye's history and national record, continuing, "We have never abandoned the brave people of Gaza, who valiantly resisted the occupying forces that attacked their land with the world's most advanced weapons."
Erdogan added , "We will continue, God willing, to bravely defend Palestine and our first qibla, Jerusalem, until our last breath." He noted that the Palestinians in Gaza are "the best witness to Turkey's efforts," and that the Palestinian people are well aware of Ankara's efforts and the extent of its dedication to working for them.
Erdogan stated that "history will record Türkiye's name in letters of gold as a symbol of human conscience in this era because of its steadfast stance on Gaza."
He emphasized that it is the duty of the Islamic world, first, and the international community, second, to ensure lasting peace for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. He explained that Türkiye will continue its struggle until the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and geographically integrated Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with American support, has been committing genocide in Gaza, leaving 66,148 martyrs and 168,716 wounded, most of them children and women, and a famine that has claimed the lives of 455 Palestinians, including 151 children.
Regarding the Syrian issue, President Erdogan affirmed his country's strong support for Syria's territorial integrity and its strong opposition to any plan to divide its southern neighbor.
The Turkish president said, "We are all marching, Turks, Kurds, Arabs, Sunnis, Shiites, and Alawites, towards a common future without discrimination based on race, language, or sect."
Erdogan stressed that "the alliance of Turks, Kurds, and Arabs will ensure and consolidate peace, prosperity, and development in the region, tomorrow and forever."
On December 8, 2024, Syrian factions took control of the country, ending 61 years of Baath Party rule, including 53 years of Assad family rule.
