ANKARA, Turkey: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday voiced strong criticism of the United Nations and called for action from the “Islamic world” following the latest deadly Israeli strikes in Gaza.
During a speech to lawmakers from his AKP party, Erdogan expressed his frustration with the UN’s inability to protect its own staff in conflict zones. “The UN cannot even protect its own staff. What are you waiting for to act? The spirit of the United Nations is dead in Gaza,” Erdogan stated.
His comments coincided with a UN Security Council meeting to discuss the recent Israeli attack on a displacement camp west of Rafah, which resulted in 21 fatalities, according to a civil defence official in Hamas-run Gaza.
Erdogan also criticized Muslim-majority countries for their lack of unified response to the Israeli actions. “I have some words to say to the Islamic world: what are you waiting for to take a common decision?” he questioned, urging collective action from these nations.
Highlighting the broader implications of the conflict, Erdogan stated, “Israel is not just a threat to Gaza but to all of humanity.” He emphasized that no state is truly safe as long as Israel disregards international law. “No state is safe as long as Israel does not follow international law and does not feel bound by international law,” he added, repeating his accusation that Israel is committing “genocide” in Gaza.
Erdogan’s remarks underscore his ongoing condemnation of Israeli military actions in Gaza and his call for a stronger international and Muslim-majority country response to the escalating violence.
