President Erdogan’s Strong Response to Gaza at UN: Security Council Inaction
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan marked the 79th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) and the UN Day on October 24 by releasing a message. Highlighting the failure of the UN to stop the genocide in Gaza, President Erdogan stated, “Unfortunately, the Security Council is in a state of inertia due to its helplessness in the face of developments that violate both international law and human dignity.”
In his message, President Erdogan congratulated UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UN staff on the occasion of the 79th anniversary of the organization’s establishment. Erdogan pointed out that the number of UN officials who lost their lives in Gaza and other conflict zones has reached record levels. He expressed, “In these days where peacekeeping missions are attacked, and the Secretary-General is even declared an ‘unwanted man,’ the Organization unfortunately commemorates its anniversary in a melancholy manner. However, the destruction caused by conflicts around the world, the increasing and deepening state of hunger and poverty, the Islamophobia and xenophobia along with racism that poison the world, are all increasing the duty and responsibility of the United Nations every day. The proper fulfillment of this responsibility can only be achieved by creating suitable conditions for all fundamental organs of the United Nations, including the Security Council, to carry out their functions.”
President Erdogan emphasized the need for the UN to be the hope of humanity once again, stating, “Turkey, as one of the founders of the UN, believes that the United Nations, which was established 79 years ago today to protect future generations from wars, is unfortunately in a state of inertia in the face of developments that violate both international law and human dignity. The Security Council’s failure to take steps to end the genocide in Gaza encourages perpetrators and undermines faith in the rules-based international system. It is now vital for the Security Council to take the necessary measures required by international law to prevent the current situation in the Middle East from turning into a more destructive, widespread crisis. Turkey is ready to support all efforts to transform the United Nations, which it considers the cornerstone of multilateralism, back into the hope of humanity and to establish an effective structure based on justice, equality, and solidarity, free from double standards within the international system. We are determined to continue to make concrete contributions to activities such as mediation, conflict prevention, peacekeeping, combating terrorism, managing migration, sustainability, environmental protection, and initiatives such as the Alliance of Civilizations carried out under the auspices of the Organization. The increasing presence of the UN in our country, especially in Istanbul, is a concrete manifestation of our cooperation with the UN.”
By congratulating the UN Day on October 24 and paying tribute to the UN staff who lost their lives while on duty, President Erdogan expressed his wish for the 79th anniversary of the Organization’s establishment to bring blessings to all of humanity.
Overall, President Erdogan’s strong response at the UN highlights the urgent need for the Security Council to take action in the face of ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises around the world. His call for a more proactive and effective UN in addressing global challenges resonates with the growing concerns of many nations and individuals worldwide.
