Türkiye Urges Confronting Occupation as Root Cause of Israel-Palestine Conflict at UN Conference
New York, The Gulf Observer: Türkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz has emphasized that any viable solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict must confront the reality of occupation, describing it as the “root cause” of the ongoing crisis.
Speaking at the high-level international conference on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution, Yilmaz underlined that the two-state solution remains central not only to resolving the conflict but also to ensuring long-term peace and security in the wider region.
“We should remember the reason why the two-state solution has not been achieved so far: occupation,” he said. “Any realistic solution has to face this cruel nature of the occupation.”
The deputy minister accused Israel of exporting instability across the region through its military actions and hegemonic ambitions. “Israel has strategically been exporting instability to the whole region by seeking endless wars with hegemonic intentions,” he stated. “No central authority is spared. Weakened state structures are sold. Failed states are desired and even engineered.”
Yilmaz described the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza as a “genocide,” warning that Israel’s actions represent a serious breach of international norms. “The genocide committed by Israel in Gaza is a dark stain on the international order,” he said, warning that continued inaction risks eroding the rules-based international system.
Calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, Yilmaz stressed that such an outcome cannot be achieved unless the aggressor is compelled to comply. He also urged the international community to take concrete action, including broader recognition of the State of Palestine and coercive measures against Israel such as a United Nations arms embargo and suspension of trade.
Condemning Israel’s illegal settlement expansion and annexation policies, Yilmaz said: “Settlerism is theft. Settlerism is a crime. Settlerism is an anachronistic version of colonialism in the 21st century. Settler terrorism should not go unpunished. Settlers and their enablers must face consequences.”
Reaffirming Türkiye’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people, he declared: “Türkiye will continue its unwavering support for law, justice, and hence the rights of the Palestinian people who are in desperate need of our active and concrete support.”
The three-day conference, held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, was co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. It aims to identify time-bound, actionable steps toward the realization of a two-state solution amid evolving geopolitical realities. Eight working groups have been established, each tasked with addressing a specific thematic area related to the peaceful resolution of the conflict.
