Foreign Minister Fidan urges decisive action for Palestine at OIC Summit

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has been at the forefront of Türkiye's diplomatic initiatives at the 15th Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Banjul.

This year, the summit is centered on fostering dialogue for sustainable development, with a significant focus on resolving the escalating crisis in Gaza.

Minister Fidan has stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, "Time elapsed is against the Palestinian people. Elements of pressure against Israel and countries supporting Israel must be implemented immediately."

During the summit, Minister Fidan held crucial talks with key international leaders including Hussein Avad Ali Mohammed, Sudan’s Acting Foreign Minister; Ceyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister; and Salah Jama, Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister.

These interactions are part of Türkiye’s comprehensive strategy to strengthen ties and tackle significant regional challenges within the Muslim world.

A key issue addressed at this year’s summit is the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Minister Fidan asserted Türkiye’s pivotal role in providing relief, noting that the nation has sent nearly 50,000 tons of aid to Gaza via 13 planes and 9 ships since October 7, 2023.

Furthermore, Türkiye is advocating for international efforts to hold Israeli officials accountable at the International Court of Justice for what it considers ongoing injustices in Gaza.

The summit also acts as a platform for Türkiye to express support for broader recognition of the state of Palestine, aiming to secure a two-state solution as a permanent end to the conflict.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's speech at the OIC Summit

During a powerful address at the 15th Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Banjul, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan delivered a resolute message on the situation in Gaza, urging the Islamic world to consolidate its strength against Israel.

"We cannot afford to let the Palestinian cause be a victim of regional rivalries," Fidan stated. "This is our test. We must demonstrate that we can unite and that the Islamic world can achieve results through diplomatic means and, where necessary, compelling measures."

Minister Fidan emphasized the urgent need for cohesive action against Israel, arguing that the international community must employ all available tools and pressure points to compel Israel to end its oppression of the Palestinians and to agree to a two-state solution.

"We must mobilize every available and effective tool, all pressure elements, against Israel," Fidan declared. He asserted Türkiye's recent implementation of a full trade embargo on Israel and its involvement in the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, initiated by South Africa.

Fidan called for a stringent review of the resolutions passed since the OIC meetings began on October 7th, warning that failure to implement these decisions only grants Israel the time it needs to continue its assaults on the Palestinian people. "Our people expect concrete outcomes from this summit. The recognition of the Palestinian state by more countries will significantly impact Israel," he noted.

In his speech, Fidan also addressed broader issues affecting the Muslim world, including the unfair isolation imposed on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), the plight of Western Thrace Turks, Crimean Tatar Turks, and Uighurs.

He stressed the importance of unity within the Islamic world to effectively address these issues. "The unity and solidarity of the Islamic world are crucial. If we lose this, Israel and its supporters will be the only beneficiaries," Fidan concluded.

Source: Newsroom