Turkish president calls on UN member state to pressure Israel for Gaza reconstruction

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday called for Gaza’s reconstruction to begin without delay and urged the international community to increase pressure on Israel, Anadolu reports.

Addressing the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Erdogan said efforts to rebuild Gaza should start as soon as possible.

“We need to begin the reconstruction of Gaza without wasting any time. In this regard, I call on you to exert greater pressure on Israel,” he said.

Erdogan said attempts to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state would ultimately fail.

“Everyone should now understand and accept this: Attempts to strangle the state of Palestine will end in failure,” he said.

He expressed hope that an independent Palestinian state with territorial integrity, based on the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital, would eventually be established.

“We will, God willing, see those beautiful days when an independent and territorially integrated State of Palestine, within the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital, will come into being,” Erdogan said.

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Starting his address, Erdogan expressed his sadness that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been unable to participate in the UN General Assembly for two consecutive years.

“Palestinian President Mr. Abbas has been unable to be in this hall for two consecutive years. This injustice against our Palestinian brothers and sisters wounds consciences,” he added.

Erdogan said Turkiye would continue to speak on behalf of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state despite Abbas’ absence.

“Although Mr. Abbas cannot be here in person, just as we did last year, we will be the voice of a free and sovereign state of Palestine,” he said.

Erdogan called on countries to recognize a Palestinian state. “Today, once again, I call on all countries that have not yet recognized the state of Palestine to reconsider their decisions,” he said.

Addressing the situation in the Gaza Strip, Erdogan said the enclave had become the world’s largest cemetery for children and the region with the world’s highest rate of child amputations.

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