HÜDA PAR Chairman Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu addressed the “International Conference on the Protection of Palestinian Holy Sites,” organized by the European Muslim Forum at Istanbul’s Çırağan Palace, calling for urgent protection of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Yapıcıoğlu began by highlighting the systematic narrowing of the narrative surrounding Israel’s aggression. “Since 1948, Israel has tried to shrink the scope of its violence—from wars against Arabs to wars against Palestinians, then Gaza, then Hamas, and now they claim they are only targeting ‘terrorists.’ But the truth is clear: civilians of all ages, religions, and genders are being slaughtered simply for living there,” he stated. He condemned attacks on mosques, churches, hospitals, schools, aid convoys, and other civilian infrastructure.

“This terror must end,” Yapıcıoğlu declared, emphasizing that Israel’s campaign is not just against Palestinians—it is a war against humanity itself. “What is happening in Gaza today is genocide,” he warned, invoking the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and stressing the responsibility of the international community to act.

The chairman condemned recent attacks on humanitarian and diplomatic missions, noting that within two days, the flagship of the Global Sumud Flotilla was targeted in Tunisian waters, followed by a strike on a negotiating team in Doha and an attack on a second flotilla vessel. “These attacks show how dangerous and far-reaching Zionism has become, threatening both human life and global conscience,” he said.

Yapıcıoğlu called for the immediate protection of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which carries food, medicine, and humanitarian aid to Gaza. “This flotilla, composed of activists from 44 countries, represents humanity’s conscience. Its mission is purely humanitarian, and these brave individuals must be safeguarded,” he stated.

He also warned that Israel’s influence extends beyond Palestine, holding hostage governments in the West and some Islamic countries. “Freedom demands a price, and humanity must pay it to preserve justice and dignity. Silence is complicity,” Yapıcıoğlu said.

Concluding his speech, he urged world leaders and international organizations to take decisive action: “Protect the Global Sumud Flotilla. Ensure no more lives are lost. Publicly declare that attacks on citizens or those defending humanity’s conscience will not go unanswered. Otherwise, the responsibility falls on all of us.”

Yapıcıoğlu closed with a message of hope and resilience: “Oppression will not last forever. Humanity’s conscience will rise, and when it does, it will not rest until justice is achieved. Those days are near, and we must remain unwavering in our support for Gaza and the global struggle for human dignity.” (ILKHA)