Erdogan, Macron Discuss Gaza Crisis and Peace Prospects in Phone Call
Ankara, The Gulf Observer: President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President of France Emmanuel Macron held a telephone conversation on Sunday to discuss the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and broader efforts to restore peace in the Middle East, according to a statement from the Turkish Presidency.
President Erdogan expressed deep concern over the worsening conditions in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for international intervention.
“The humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening,” Erdogan stated during the call, urging the global community to act decisively. “The international community must take action toward an immediate solution.”
The Turkish leader reiterated his long-standing support for a two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace in the region. “The conflict between Israel and Palestine must come to an end,” he said. “A two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the region.”
Erdogan also welcomed France’s recent decision to formally recognize the State of Palestine, commending President Macron for the initiative. He noted that this move had been met with broad approval from pro-Palestinian voices around the world.
President Macron announced last Thursday that France would officially recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September, positioning France to become the first G7 nation to take such a step. Currently, 147 out of 193 UN member states recognize Palestinian statehood.
“As France prepares to recognise the State of Palestine, let us recall the recognition of the State of Israel by France on January 24, 1949,” the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The conversation between the two leaders comes as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen amid Israel’s ongoing military offensive, which began on October 7, 2023. According to international reports, nearly 60,000 Palestinians — the majority of them women and children — have been killed, while Gaza’s healthcare system has collapsed, and food shortages have reached critical levels.
