Jeddah: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has accused the Israeli government of seeking to erase the Palestinian people from their land rather than pursuing peace.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Fidan made these remarks during the opening session of the emergency meeting of the foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He emphasized that Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and highlighted the necessity of collective Islamic cooperation to rebuild the region. Fidan warned that Israel’s continued actions could lead to significant problems in the Middle East.

Fidan further criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s regime for illegal attacks on Syria, Lebanon, and Iran, suggesting these actions reflect a broader agenda that threatens regional stability. He highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, where Palestinians face hunger and risk starvation, with the United Nations declaring a famine. He attributed this crisis to Israel’s blockade on aid.

Additionally, Fidan pointed out that Western societies are beginning to recognize the reality in Gaza due to efforts by OIC countries. He noted the growing backlash against Israel’s policies and the increasing recognition of the State of Palestine. Fidan called for sustained pressure on Israel to reach a permanent solution for Palestine.

He also warned of the consequences of attacks on Jerusalem’s identity and status, urging for international support for Palestine. The meeting in Jeddah focused on stopping the war on Gaza, strengthening the Islamic Ummah’s position, and rallying international backing.

Fidan stated that Hamas has accepted a ceasefire plan supported by Egypt and Qatar, and emphasized Turkey’s support for peace efforts led by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. He warned that failure to reach a ceasefire soon could lead to intensified Israeli settlement plans and violence.

He urged OIC countries to push for Palestine’s full UN membership and to suspend Israel’s activities in the General Assembly. Fidan highlighted the importance of preparing Gaza for reconstruction and reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to support these efforts.

Fidan also discussed the upcoming “High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Palestinian Issue and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution,” which was hosted in New York City last July. He described it as a historic turning point with countries like France, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia announcing their intention to recognize Palestine.

Finally, Fidan emphasized the crucial role of efforts by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the League of Arab States, and the Arab-Islamic Contact Group on Gaza in mobilizing key stakeholders, underscoring the importance of joint efforts among the member states.