Turkish FM calls for renewed focus on 'two-state solution'
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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.
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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during a news conference with his North Macedonia's counterpart Timco Mucunski, after their meeting at the foreign ministry building in Skopje, North Macedonia, on Thursday, September 5, 2024. (AP)
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.
Read more: UNGA votes 124-14 to end Israeli occupation, 43 nations abstain
"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.
Risk of expanded war
Fidan also warned of the expanding risks of conflict in the region, suggesting that without intervention, the situation could spiral into a broader war, potentially involving Iran and affecting global stability.
He criticized the current Israeli policies under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s administration, which he says are aimed at permanently seizing Palestinian territories.
"Because Israel will no longer remain silent, Jordanians are now communicating to both their allies and international counterparts. This is alarming. As we consider Lebanon, there is always a risk of a war that could encompass the entire region, including Egypt, and Netanyahu is determined to either halt or advance this situation," he said.
With the international community standing just one veto away from the formal recognition of Palestinian statehood at the United Nations, Fidan called for global powers to take decisive action. He urged rational actors within the Israeli leadership to reassess their strategies to prevent further bloodshed and ensure a viable peace route.
"The world must come together to address this injustice," Fidan stated. "Only through a fair and enduring peace can we hope to achieve stability in the region."
Read more: Iran reserves right to respond to attack on ambassador in Lebanon
The Turkish foreign minister's remarks come at a time when international patience is wearing thin due to continued aggressions targeting Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, amidst stalled peace talks.
Lebanon has also recently experienced a wave of terrorist attacks involving the rigging of telecommunication devices, such as pagers and radio receivers.
Western news agencies have justified the aggression on the basis that the attack is intended to target members of Hezbollah. The reality, however, is that the devices were used by workers of a wide range of professions, including teachers, health workers and industrial workers.
The UN Security Council is set to convene on Friday to discuss the terrorist attack on Lebanon.
