Speech of the Leader of the Republican People’s Party of Turkey at the Gaza Session
At the extraordinary session of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), convened at the initiative of parties opposing the ruling party to discuss recent developments in Gaza, members of parliament issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza and the occupied territories as “genocide,” and calling for the suspension of this regime’s membership in the United Nations and other international bodies until these policies are halted.
The statement emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from Gaza, the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, the cessation of illegal settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. It also called on parliaments around the world to sever military and trade relations with Israel and to support the recognition of the State of Palestine.
During the session, Özgür Özel, leader of the Republican People’s Party of Turkey (CHP), delivered a speech in the Assembly that drew wide attention.
The Role of Parliament and the Purpose of the Session
Özel stressed the historic and symbolic role of the parliament as the “house of the national will,” noting that despite constitutional changes in recent years — which he said had “weakened the pillars of this structure” — the duty of MPs remains to preserve this institution as the refuge of the people’s will.
He explained that the initiative to hold this session came with the joint signatures of nine political parties and the support of all opposition parties, in order to officially address in parliament “Israel’s massacres, which have reached the level of genocide.”
Genocide and Israel’s Objectives
The CHP leader, noting that 691 days had passed since the start of Israel’s attacks, described these actions as “organized genocide” and claimed that Israel is pursuing two main objectives:
The complete evacuation of Gaza
Cutting the geographical link between East Jerusalem and the West Bank to destroy the hope of establishing an independent Palestinian state
He added that the unconditional support of the United States and the inability or inaction of the Islamic world have emboldened Israel in this course.
Criticism of the Turkish Government
Özel accused the government of “double standards” in its stance, saying: “Some engage in verbal sparring with Netanyahu in cool halls, but refrain from criticizing Trump — the main supporter of these policies.”
He recalled that since 8 October 2023, his party had called for a complete severance of trade relations with Israel, but these relations have continued through intermediaries, with documents of this made public. According to him, the arrest of young people protesting this trade is a sign of the government’s “guilt and psychological pressure.”
Practical Proposal
In conclusion, Özel put forward a practical proposal: the formation of a joint delegation from all political parties in Turkey, headed by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to travel to Palestine and directly express solidarity with the people of that land. Addressing other parties, he said: “We are ready — are you?”
