In Turkey, a three-day national mourning period will be declared for Palestine following a devastating attack that resulted in the loss of at least 500 lives. This attack was carried out by Israel, which bombed the El Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza. The announcement was made through a Presidential Decree by Ömer Çelik, the spokesperson for the AKP.
Key points from Çelik’s statements include:
- Çelik expressed his concern about Israel’s disregard for the right to life of its own citizens, noting that people fleeing in fear for their lives were being targeted and bombed. Hospitals, places traditionally considered safe havens, were not spared either. He emphasized the gravity of these acts, describing them as one of the most significant atrocities worldwide.
- He extended condolences to those who lost their lives and announced that a three-day national mourning period would be declared by the Turkish President. This gesture, he stated, symbolizes solidarity with the innocent victims and highlights that their loss is shared by all. Çelik also criticized Israel for what he viewed as a violation of fundamental humanitarian values.
Furthermore, Çelik drew attention to the global response to the ongoing bombing in Gaza, highlighting the apparent passivity of international organizations and institutions.
- He pointed out the recurring pattern of attacks targeting innocent lives on both sides and stressed that a political solution is necessary to end this cycle of violence. He also emphasized the impracticality of resolving the issue as long as the occupation persists.
- Çelik criticized the actions of the United States and Western nations, which he regarded as counterproductive to achieving peace. Sending warships and aircraft carriers to the region, he argued, only exacerbates the conflict, ignoring the need for a diplomatic approach. He lamented the lack of diplomatic progress on the part of Western states, who he believed were primarily focused on Israel’s right to self-defense, rather than addressing the broader issues at hand.
- The spokesperson lauded his own President’s efforts to promote regional peace by offering a diplomatic perspective. In contrast, he criticized the United States for exacerbating conflicts and engaging in actions that he perceived as reckless and lawless. He particularly noted the U.S. Secretary of State’s religious references, suggesting that they lacked foresight. Additionally, he questioned the effectiveness of ministers who express their religious affiliations when seeking solutions to the crisis.
- Çelik observed a consistent bias in favor of Israel when Western countries discussed the situation, emphasizing Israel’s right to self-defense while failing to address the loss of life in Gaza. He posed the question of whether Israel’s right to self-defense could be reasonably applied to actions that result in the deaths of innocent children.
- Finally, Çelik addressed claims that Hamas had launched the missile that hit the hospital. He criticized statements made in support of the attacks, calling them inhumane, and pointed out that they were later removed from public discourse. He emphasized the need for a more comprehensive, peaceful perspective, arguing that the 1967 borders offer a potential solution to the ongoing crisis.
