Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a strong message after the G20 Summit, asserting that "Global peace cannot be fully ensured unless a free Palestinian state is established."

Speaking at a press conference, President Erdoğan reiterated that the only path to a lasting solution is the implementation of a two-state formula. This state, he specified, must be based on the 1967 borders with East al-Quds (East Jerusalem) as its capital.

Reaffirming Türkiye’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, President Erdoğan said Ankara “defends the rights of the oppressed people of Gaza boldly on every international platform” and has delivered more than 103,000 tons of humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave since the outbreak of the latest war.

The Turkish leader highlighted Ankara’s diplomatic efforts that contributed to the fragile ceasefire reached in January 2025 between Israel and Hamas, mediated jointly by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States with active Turkish involvement.

“We are doing everything necessary to prevent a return to conflict,” Erdoğan stressed, adding that maintaining the ceasefire and launching large-scale reconstruction in Gaza are now “a global responsibility.” He renewed his call on G20 members to significantly increase humanitarian assistance and support post-war rebuilding efforts.

In his strongest remarks on the political track, President Erdoğan insisted that only a two-state solution can deliver durable peace: “Global peace cannot be fully ensured unless a free Palestinian state is established on the 1967 borders, with East al-Quds as its capital.”Updated context (November 2025):

Erdoğan’s comments come amid renewed international momentum for Palestinian statehood recognition. In the past month alone, Spain, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, and Armenia have formally recognized Palestine, bringing the total number of UN member states recognizing Palestinian statehood to 147. Meanwhile, the fragile Gaza ceasefire has held for ten months despite occasional violations, and UN-led assessments estimate Gaza’s reconstruction costs at over $90 billion. Türkiye currently ranks as the second-largest provider of humanitarian aid to Gaza after the United States.

The Turkish president’s remarks in Johannesburg were welcomed by Palestinian officials and several Arab and Muslim-majority countries attending the summit, while Israeli officials have not yet issued an official response to Erdoğan’s latest statements. (ILKHA)