Gaza contact group working to halt Israeli genocide: Turkish FM
The contact group has been actively pursuing diplomatic initiatives in various international capitals.
The Gaza contact group has been "doing everything to stop Israel's genocide" in the Gaza Strip, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated during a meeting on Sunday, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.
Fidan attended the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Arab League Contact Group meeting held alongside the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. He noted that the contact group has been "doing its best" to raise international awareness about the ongoing attacks on Palestinian civilians.
"This week, during our meetings and bilateral discussions, we must focus on the knife-edge situation in Palestine and its dangerous consequences," he remarked.
The contact group, established at the OIC-Arab League Extraordinary Joint Summit in Riyadh last November, has been actively pursuing diplomatic initiatives in various international capitals to address the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza.
Fidan stressed the need to "mobilize all means at our disposal to stop this madness."
He also highlighted the importance of countering disinformation from pro-Israeli media outlets, which perpetuate false narratives to reinforce the occupation.
The Turkish Foreign Minister reaffirmed that international law supports the Contact Group, stating that, thanks to their joint efforts and the resilience of the Palestinians, Palestine now has a seat in the General Assembly.
In a statement from Anadolu Agency's Editor's Desk on Thursday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan strongly condemned the ongoing war on Gaza, describing it as a "massacre" and "genocide".
The Foreign Minister expressed his belief in the urgent need for a so-called "two-state solution" as a way to "prevent such tragedies from occurring again," while overlooking the fact that this outcome is far from guaranteed.
During his talk, Fidan highlighted the historical context and the current international support for Palestinian statehood, referencing numerous UN resolutions that recognize Palestine.
He detailed the "immense role" of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Arab League in "bringing back the forgotten definition and dimensions of the Palestinian issue, and in re-prioritizing how to approach the Palestinian issue."
"Now we are facing a General Assembly resolution where 124 members have approved a decision by the International Court of Justice that Israel should withdraw from the occupied territories within a year," Fidan said.
"At this point, there is a significant awareness in the international community. The international community now accepts and stands behind the fact that if Israel is given a state, the Palestinians should be given one as well. Just as Israelis pursue sovereignty and security, Palestinians should also pursue sovereignty and security. No one accepts or tolerates a situation where one side is pursuing sovereignty and security while the other side remains oppressed and enslaved. However, it is essential to continuously and loudly emphasize and fight for this issue," Fidan added.
UN to demand 'Israel' end 'unlawful' occupation within 12 months
The United Nations General Assembly will adopt a Palestinian-drafted resolution on Wednesday, demanding "Israel" end "its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory" within 12 months.
This command will isolate the occupation a few days before world leaders attend the annual UN gathering held in New York on September 26. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to address the 193-member assembly, on the same day as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The draft resolution seeks to incorporate the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) advisory opinion deeming "Israel's" occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements illegal, in order to demand the regime's withdrawal.
The advisory opinion by the UN's highest judicial authority, known as the World Court, urged for this action to be completed "as rapidly as possible." However, the General Assembly resolution allows for a 12-month timeframe.
The draft resolution is Palestine's first formal submission since it gained additional rights and privileges this month, as well as obtaining a seat in the assembly hall and the right to propose draft resolutions.