The path to peace, tranquility and economic development in the Middle East region lies through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
Speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai, the Turkish leader said:
“All steps to resolve [Israel-Hamas war] will remain incomplete until an independent, sovereign and geographically integrated Palestinian state is established on the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
Then, Erdogan emphasised that Israel puts itself above international law and has been pursuing a “policy of occupation, usurpation, destruction and massacre” for decades. He added:
“If Israel wants permanent peace, it must abandon its expansionist ideas, and recognise the existence of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.”
The Turkish president also pledged that Turkey will continue to support the Palestinians in their struggle for their rights. He said:
“We will never leave our Palestinian brothers abandoned, helpless and alone.”
The head of state also deplored recent attempts to damage the reputation of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). Erdogan said:
“I call on countries with a conscience to support UNRWA, which is a lifeline for 6 million refugees in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.”
