New york: Trkiye's permanent representative to the United Nations has urged all member states to unite behind a General Assembly resolution on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question. During a session at the UN, Ahmet Yildiz emphasized Trkiye's strong support for the resolution and called for a collective effort to ensure its implementation.
According to Anadolu Agency, Yildiz highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, noting that the death toll has exceeded 70,000 due to ongoing hostilities, bombardment, and infrastructure collapse. He pointed out that entire neighborhoods have been destroyed, and Gaza's already fragile infrastructure is on the brink of total collapse. Despite this devastation, Yildiz mentioned encouraging diplomatic developments, including international support for a two-state solution.
The Turkish envoy detailed several key developments over the past year, such as a high-level conference on the two-state solution and the formal recognition of the State of Palestine by 11 countries. He also referenced the General Assembly's adoption of the New York Declaration as a positive step towards peace.
Yildiz welcomed the establishment of a ceasefire after two years of conflict in Gaza and called for its full implementation, citing Security Council resolution 2803 and a 20-point peace plan as crucial components. He urged the international community to facilitate unimpeded humanitarian aid, launch early reconstruction efforts, and prevent spillover violence in the region.
Addressing the situation in the West Bank, Yildiz expressed concern over rising violence and settlement expansion, which threaten to destabilize the area. He condemned the expansion of illegal settlements and violations at the Al-Haram Al-Sharif (the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex).
Yildiz also welcomed the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on Israel's obligations in the occupied Palestinian territory and reiterated that a just peace can only be achieved through a political solution based on the two-state vision and pre-1967 borders.
Trkiye, he affirmed, is ready to support the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and contribute to efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive political settlement.