Turkish speaker hails US abstention on Gaza cease-fire vote during Ramadan

The decision of the United States to abstain from voting on the U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza during Ramadan has been described as "positive news" by Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus on Tuesday. 

"They now realize that they cannot simply disengage by removing (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu and washing their hands of the situation. By abstaining, a step has been taken towards the potential emergence of a new peace, or at the very least, a cease-fire," Kurtulmus remarked. 

Kurtulmus drew parallels between Israel's attacks on Gaza and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of resolving these crises. 

"Both conflicts have the capacity to spark regional turmoil and push humanity toward the brink of a new global conflict," he observed. 

He highlighted that Türkiye, particularly under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has showcased to the international community that these issues need to be addressed through humanitarian diplomacy. 

Kurtulmus emphasized that the ongoing violence in Gaza is more than just an assault on the people of the region, as it has the potential to escalate into a regional conflict instigated by Netanyahu and his allies. 

He stressed the urgent necessity of halting these assaults promptly to prevent further escalation. 

Kurtulmus also denounced the recent terrorist attack at a concert hall in Moscow. 

"As a nation that has endured terrorism, we recognize that all forms of terrorism are a threat to humanity," he stated. 

He condemned the perpetrators of the attack for committing "a serious crime against humanity" and expressed hope that the motives behind the attack would be uncovered. 

Kurtulmus reiterated that Türkiye does not view the Russia-Ukraine conflict as merely bilateral but acknowledges its potential to expand into a broader confrontation between Russia and the West, hence the efforts to swiftly end the conflict. 

He mentioned that Russia and Ukraine were close to signing a peace agreement at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, stating that "a fair and just peace acceptable to both sides was within reach." 

"Türkiye had played a significant role in this process. However, certain forces opposed to ending the war hindered the finalization of the agreement at Dolmabahce Palace," he added. 

He warned that the tensions between Russia and Ukraine could not only impact the Black Sea and Eastern Europe but also have far-reaching implications. 

Kurtulmus affirmed that Türkiye will fully utilize its diplomatic efforts to facilitate peace between the two nations. 

Source: AA