Türkiye's diplomacy and humanitarian aid to Palestine

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is conducting intensive diplomatic efforts to put an end to the genocide in Gaza, Erdogan, within this framework, has held meetings with the Presidents and Prime Ministers of 27 countries since October 7, 2023. On October 17th, following Israel's brutal bombing of a hospital in Gaza, President Erdoğan made a strong statement condemning the attack with the following words: 'Striking a hospital that holds women, children, and innocent civilians is the latest example of Israel's attacks, which are devoid of the most fundamental human values, I call upon all states and international organizations to sincerely support initiatives aimed at establishing an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.' On October 28th, at the call of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a 'Grand Palestine Rally' was organized at Atatürk Airport. In his address to the crowd, President Erdoğan highlighted the following points: 'The Western world has mobilized its politicians and media in an effort to legitimize the massacre of children, women, and innocents in Gaza. For a full 22 days, Israel has been overtly committing war crimes. We will declare you as a war criminal to the world. We are now preparing for this. We are working on it and will introduce Israel as a war criminal to the world.' ERDOĞAN'S 'ONE MİNUTE' INCIDENT During an emergency meeting on Gaza convened by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan clearly articulated Türkiye's stance on Gaza and Palestine with the following remarks: 'The Muslim world must make bold decisions and implement them with resolve until the establishment of a sovereign, independent Palestinian state with full territorial integrity, with East Jerusalem as its capital, becomes a reality.' THE ATTEMPTED OCCUPATION OF AL-AQSA MOSQUE AND TÜRKİYE'S HARSH RESPONSE In 2021, fanatic Jews and Israeli police began to attack worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque. Erdoğan said 'Even if the whole world turns a blind eye, we will not condone Israel's cruelty. Opposing Israel's aggression in Palestinian cities and Jerusalem is a matter of honor for all humanity.' (May 14, 2021) HUMANITARIAN AID EFFORTS IHH HUMANITARIAN RELIEF FOUNDATION IHH conducts aid activities in a total of 9 areas in Palestine, encompassing education, protection, healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter, food security and livelihoods, non-food aid, cultural activities, and disaster management. Turkish Red Crescent has intervened in natural and man-made disasters in 138 different countries over the last 10 years, extending a helping hand to 147 countries since its establishment. AFAD continues its food aid activities in the region through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) A total of 22 water wells have been constructed in Gaza, supplying clean drinking water to over 1 million people.