Minister Fidan spoke at the session of the United Nations Security Council where the latest developments in Gaza were discussed.
Highlights from Minister Fidan’s speech are as follows:
“All the speakers before me touched upon the gravity of the human tragedy in Gaza. No words will be sufficient to describe the suffering endured by civilians, mostly children, women and the elderly. We believe that this crime committed by Israel is unacceptable and that other nations should also condemn it. In such cases, of course, the values that humanity has brought to us should be at stake, and I believe that all parties should separate themselves from these crimes. However, the institutions of our age, especially the Security Council, once again failed to fulfill their responsibilities towards international peace and security. They cannot call for a meaningful ceasefire with a single voice.
Moreover, the council cannot even offer a future perspective that will solve this historical injustice within the parameters of the 2-state solution it has adopted. This state of paralysis will have repercussions in dealing with other global crises and is certain to further erode the council’s credibility in the eyes of humanity.
‘THE HUMANITARIAN PAUSE WAS A LIGHT OF HOPE’
At the same time, this situation destroys the rules-based international system and morality on which the United Nations was founded. Without international law and without a moral compass, we all continue to swim in uncharted waters. If we cannot solve this problem as soon as possible, all kinds of radicalism that feeds on impunity and injustice will haunt us all once again.
Millions of people around the world are coming together in solidarity and peace with Palestine, despite in some cases distressing restrictions on freedom of expression. And some social movements related to this continue in many countries. These people’s expectations from the Security Council are to ensure a ceasefire that will end open hostilities and to ensure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The extension of the humanitarian pause in Gaza and the exchange of hostages and detainees accordingly constitute a ray of hope. “We must turn this into an opportunity to address the root causes of this conflict.”
“11 years ago today, we voted at the United Nations General Assembly to confirm Palestine’s non-member observer status. We must ensure that Palestinians establish their own state, with all its rights and privileges, and only then can we end the struggle with the obstacles we face today. In fact, this time we should all roll up our sleeves and bring this problem to an end with a peace process based on a two-state solution.
GUARANTEE MECHANISM
Israel and Palestine should be able to continue living in peace and security on their pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state. We must also make sure that such a solution will be implemented, unlike past experiences.
Based on this idea, Türkiye put forward the idea of a guarantor mechanism. Such a mechanism will preserve the peace and prevent violations by either party. This can be foreseen and made part of the package in the lead-up to the final agreement. “As many parties have expressed, such a mechanism is actually needed and we understand that this mechanism can be supported.”