Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan strongly criticized Israel's genocidal aggression in Gaza and called for accountability during his official visit to Malaysia.

Speaking at the Türkiye-Malaysia Strategic Cooperation in the New Century meeting, Erdogan underscored his government's opposition to Israel's actions, which he described as a disregard for international law and continuous attacks on Palestinian civilians.

President Erdogan accused Israel of aggressive conduct and violating international legal norms, stating, "We see that Israel continues its lawless and reckless behavior." He outright rejected any ideas of forcibly displacing Palestinians from Gaza, calling such proposals "unacceptable" and likening them to a potential "second Nakba" - a reference to the mass displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

Erdogan highlighted Türkiye's humanitarian response, mentioning that over 100,000 tons of aid had been sent to Gaza. He also spoke of Türkiye's decision to sever trade ties with Israel as a protest against the ongoing violence. "We have made our stance clear by completely halting trade with Israel," he said, emphasizing the effort to ensure accountability for the attacks.

Despite facing threats for eight months due to these actions, Erdogan asserted Türkiye's unwavering support for Palestinians. "For 15 months, we have been under pressure and threats, yet we have never bowed. We have never abandoned our Palestinian brothers and sisters," he declared.

Erdogan demanded that Israel be held financially and legally responsible for the destruction in Gaza, estimating the rebuilding cost at around $100 billion. "Israeli authorities must first be charged for the destruction they have caused," he insisted, suggesting that the funds for Gaza's reconstruction should come from Israel.

On the bilateral front, Erdogan noted the significant economic progress with Malaysia, with trade volumes surpassing $1 billion in 2024. He stressed the importance of a global order based on justice and security, critiquing the current global governance as failing.

Erdogan criticized the instability of the current global system, advocating for a new order that upholds justice. He highlighted the need to include Muslim voices in global decision-making processes, praising Malaysia's stance against Islamophobia and looking forward to deepened cooperation.

Erdogan reiterated Türkiye's commitment to the Palestinian cause, condemning the international community's, particularly the UN Security Council's, inaction regarding Israel's actions. He stated, "From day one of the massacres in Gaza, we have worked tirelessly to expose Israel’s state terrorism on all platforms."

The speech concluded with a call for a world governed by peace, trust, and stability, not conflict and fear, as Erdogan positioned Türkiye as a steadfast ally to oppressed nations. His remarks were delivered against the backdrop of ongoing displacement in Gaza, where scores of Palestinians were seen walking northwards in search of safety. (ILKHA)