Erdoğan Calls for Wider Recognition of Palestine

Erdoğan called on countries that have not recognized the State of Palestine to reconsider their positions. He said Türkiye would continue supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

He said the proposed Palestinian state should be based on the 1967 borders, have territorial integrity and have East Jerusalem as its capital.

The United Nations General Assembly has allowed Abbas to address the gathering by video for the second consecutive year after the United States denied him a visa to attend in person.

Strong Criticism of Gaza Conditions

Erdoğan described the humanitarian situation in Gaza in highly critical terms, saying children should be protected from the effects of the conflict.

He said Gaza had become, in his words, “the world's largest graveyard for children” and highlighted the number of children suffering severe injuries and amputations.

Erdoğan characterized Israel's military campaign in Gaza as a humanitarian catastrophe. Israel rejects accusations that its actions constitute genocide, while Türkiye has repeatedly used that characterization.

Ceasefire and Reconstruction

Erdoğan said a ceasefire had been reached with efforts involving U.S. President Donald Trump and several countries, including Türkiye.

He argued that the next step should be reconstruction in Gaza and called for greater international pressure to support the process.

Erdoğan also said that the Palestinian issue should be treated as a humanitarian and international matter rather than as a dispute involving individual leaders.

Israeli Delegation Leaves During Speech

Reports said members of the Israeli delegation left the UN General Assembly hall while Erdoğan was speaking. A video report published by TodayPress.tv showed the delegation leaving during the Turkish president's address.

Warning Against Regional Escalation

Erdoğan warned against attempts to spread conflicts and military confrontations into neighboring countries.

He said continued escalation could affect regional stability and argued that disputes in the Middle East should be addressed through diplomatic and regional mechanisms.

He also referred to Türkiye's recently established defense cooperation with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, describing it as an effort to strengthen regional solidarity and develop solutions from within the region.

The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed by Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in August, treats an armed attack against one member as an attack against all three and is described by the countries as a defensive cooperation framework.

Erdoğan Addresses Russia-Ukraine War

Erdoğan also discussed the Russia-Ukraine war, saying Türkiye hopes the conflict will end while Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity are maintained.

Türkiye has continued to position itself as a supporter of diplomatic efforts to resolve the war while maintaining relations with both Kyiv and Moscow.

Call for a Different Future for Children

Erdoğan said Palestinian children should eventually be able to live without the threat of airstrikes and military operations.

He described a future in which children in Gaza could look at the sky and see kites rather than aircraft and drones. He also called for an end to attacks affecting children in Lebanon and warned against allowing conflicts to spread further across the region.

Key Points

  • Erdoğan called for wider recognition of the State of Palestine.
  • He supported a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
  • He criticized the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
  • He called for Gaza's reconstruction to begin as soon as possible.
  • He urged international pressure to prevent further regional escalation.
  • Reports said the Israeli delegation left the hall during his speech.
  • Erdoğan highlighted the Türkiye-Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defense agreement.
  • He called for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war while maintaining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Source

This article is based on Erdoğan's remarks at the 2026 United Nations General Assembly.