Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Criticizes Israel’s Rejection of Two-State Solution

New York, The Gulf Observer: Türkiye’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, sharply criticized Israel’s refusal to implement a two-state solution, warning that the ongoing Palestinian issue threatens to destabilize the entire region. Speaking on Thursday during a ministerial meeting on Gaza, organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Arab League Gaza Contact Group, the European Union, and Norway on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Fidan stressed the urgency of addressing the crisis.

“We cannot wait for the goodwill of Israel to implement the two-state solution,” Fidan declared, referencing the Israeli parliament’s recent decision to formally deny the creation of a Palestinian state. “This is pure greed that should not be condoned.”

Fidan condemned Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, stating that the Israeli government’s actions have derailed any potential ceasefire. “The ceasefire talks are at an impasse because [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu torpedoed them whenever a ceasefire seemed within reach,” he noted, accusing Israel of escalating its aggression beyond Gaza to the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Lebanon.

The foreign minister highlighted the broader regional implications of Israel’s actions, pointing out that strikes on Lebanon have drawn widespread warnings from the international community. “Our region is engulfed with flames because of Netanyahu,” Fidan said, emphasizing that Türkiye has long warned that failure to resolve the Palestinian issue would drag the region into instability. “This is exactly what is happening now with Lebanon.”

Fidan underscored that the current situation presents a pivotal moment for the international community. “We are at a make-or-break moment. The genocidal aggression of Israel has raised a sincere awareness as to the true nature of the problem,” he remarked, expressing confidence that more countries will recognize the State of Palestine. He noted that nine countries have recently recognized Palestine, urging others to follow suit.

“A Palestinian state is not a utopia. It is a fact, my friends. We should all embrace this in our narrative and for our deeds,” Fidan asserted, pointing to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice and the UN General Assembly resolution of May 10, 2024, as key steps towards the goal. “Now, we are one veto short of our objective. The State of Palestine should be a full UN member.”

Fidan reiterated that the ongoing occupation of Palestine has failed to bring peace or security to Israel and stressed that the two-state solution is essential for lasting security in the region. He also recalled Türkiye’s proposal for a guarantorship mechanism to address the security concerns of both Israel and Palestine, emphasizing the urgency of implementing the two-state solution before further regional destabilization occurs.

“The two-state solution is an endgame, and it should be implemented before it is too late,” he concluded.