Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a powerful and wide-ranging address at the opening of the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) in Istanbul, condemning the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza.

Erdoğan decried the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza. “Even the Holocaust in Europe did not witness scenes as inhumane as the ones in Gaza,” Erdoğan declared, referring to the prolonged Israeli blockade and bombardment of the Palestinian enclave. “No one with even a shred of human dignity can accept or ignore the cruelty in which dozens of innocent people die every day for lack of a morsel of bread or a sip of water.”

He accused Israel of committing crimes against humanity and warned that anyone remaining silent is “complicit” in these atrocities. “Whoever remains silent in the face of the genocide in Gaza is complicit in the crimes against humanity committed by Israel,” he emphasized.

The President used the platform to outline his vision of a changing world order, stating that the post-WWII rules-based international system is collapsing, giving way to a global structure where “might makes right.”

“We are going through a period in which power balances are being redefined, global centers of gravity are shifting, and international competition is intensifying,” Erdoğan said. “The rules-based international system… is being replaced by a new order based on the survival of the strongest.”

He also highlighted the inability of international justice mechanisms to uphold peace and accountability.

Erdoğan cited Türkiye’s geographic location and cultural ties as reasons it is deeply affected by global instability. “The genocide escalating in Gaza for 22 months, Israel’s attacks aimed at destabilizing our geography, the war raging between Russia and Ukraine for over 3.5 years, the hot tensions from South Asia to North Africa to the Balkans — all of these concern us,” he said.

Referring to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, Erdoğan stated, “The suffering of children in Gaza, who have been reduced to skin and bones because humanitarian aid is not allowed in, is our suffering.” He also condemned renewed violence in Syria following recent hopes of change, as well as escalating tensions in the Black Sea, Libya, Sudan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

Highlighting Türkiye’s active foreign policy, Erdoğan stressed that Ankara continues to push for a ceasefire and humanitarian access in Gaza. “Our aim is the establishment of a ceasefire as soon as possible,” he stated, noting that even the Red Cross has been denied entry.

He reiterated his condemnation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying, “Netanyahu and his network of murder have far surpassed Hitler in barbarity.”

Turning to the core focus of the IDEF 2025, President Erdoğan celebrated Türkiye’s achievements in the defense industry, recalling a history marked by embargoes and foreign dependency. He highlighted how Türkiye’s defense industry has evolved from relying on foreign suppliers to becoming a top exporter.

“When we first came to power, the share of local production in the defense industry was just 20 percent. Today, it has surpassed 80 percent,” he noted proudly. “Türkiye is now among the top three countries in the world in UAV and UCAV technologies.”

He pointed to Türkiye’s record-breaking UAV exports: “Last year, 65 out of every 100 UAVs sold worldwide were supplied by Turkish companies.” Erdoğan also emphasized the country’s capability to design and produce its own warships and praised the defense sector’s contributions from major contractors to SMEs and universities.

Türkiye now exports defense products to 180 countries and ranks as the 11th largest defense exporter globally, he added.

In closing, Erdoğan framed Türkiye’s military strength and proactive diplomacy as two pillars of its international role. “We never seek domination or interference. But whenever we witness injustice, lawlessness, or oppression, we show our stance,” he said.

From the genocide in Gaza to instability across regions, Erdoğan reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to peace, sovereignty, and justice — and its determination to act independently when allies fail to stand by. (ILKHA)