Türkiye Statement at The High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution

22 September 2025

Delivered by: President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Excellencies heads of state & governments,

His excellency the Secretary General,

Esteemed delegation members,

Let me greet you all with most heartfelt feelings and kind regards,

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to France and Saudi Arabia, who are co-chairing this conference.

I congratulate all the countries that have decided to recognize the State of Palestine, for honoring the voice of justice and of conscience.

I hope that this step, along with the initiatives to be undertaken in the coming period, will accelerate the implementation of a two-state solution. In our region, an unprecedented catastrophe has been unfolding for nearly two years, under the Israeli government’s heavy and inhumane attacks.

The massacre and brutality in Gaza continues with all its intensity.

Since October the 7th, over 65.000 Palestinians —mostly women and children— have lost their lives, and more than 165.000 of our brothers and sisters have been injured.

For two years now, on a daily basis, we have been witnessing in today’s modern world, countless scenes of evil, that would make humanity ashamed of being human.

Those heartbreaking photographs of innocent children, their bellies glued to their backs, starving and skinned, those photos will never be erased from our memories.

Noone with a conscience can possibly accept what is happening; moreover, noone can remain silent in the face of such a genocide.

The Netanyahu Government’s goal is to make the establishment of a Palestinian State impossible, and to force the Palestinian people to emigrate, as much as possible.

In the midst of these negative developments, of a group of countries, among them members of the UN Security Council, have taken the decision to recognize the State of Palestine, this is an extremely significant and historic step.

We wholeheartedly wish we could see Palestinian President Mr Abbas be able to speak in this conference today.

Nevertheless, I find it extremely valuable that all the participants speaking today, are also serving as the voice of the Palestinian people.

I would like to thank all my friends, who have shown solidarity with the Palestinian people, during these difficult times.

It is also a fact that today, the Palestinian cause has become a global issue.

In Europe, in Asia, the Americas, and Africa, we are witnessing people chanting “Free Palestine” on the streets, on social media, and in the press, more than ever before.

This contradiction should not escape anyone’s attention, including my friends here.

The Netanyahu Government governs a society who, in the past, was targeted for eradication with the persecutions of the Holocaust, and today, his Govt. is committing genocide against its neighbors with whom it has shared the same land, the same water, air and sea, for thousands of years.

In Gaza, it is not only children, women, and civilians being targeted; also, water, land, and even trees are being destroyed by this fanatic mentality.

Standing up against this oppression is not only a legal duty of the international community, but also a moral responsibility.

The international community must stop expansionism in the West Bank, also the fait-accompli in East Jerusalem, and the attempts to spread instability in the region.

Otherwise, we cannot possibly talk about the presence of an international order, or talk about defending universal values.

The goal of deepening occupation and annexation policies is clear:

The goal is to kill the vision of a two-state solution; to leave no ground for the State of Palestine to survive; to exile the Palestinian people, and to implement their expansionist ambitions by fueling instability in the region.

This cannot be allowed.

At this conference today, I hope that the countries that have shown the courage to recognize the State of Palestine will follow through on this historic stance with determined, concrete, and deterrent steps.

It is now necessary to declare a ceasefire, ensure unhindered access to humanitarian aid to Gaza, and for Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza.

Gaza is an inseparable part of Palestine, and belongs to the Palestinian people.

Palestinians will also determine how they will govern their own land.

Distinguished friends,

The solidarity shown today by recognizing the State of Palestine, will for sure, strengthen the people of Palestine and their just cause.

The time has now come for Palestine to gain full membership in the United Nations.

It is important to increase Palestine’s institutional capacity, strengthen financial and technical support, and continue the activities of humanitarian aid organizations such as UNRWA. (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East).

Türkiye will continue its fight with determination until a geographically unified State of Palestine comes into being, based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

We will stand on the side of justice, righteousness, and humanity.

I once again congratulate for their courageous decision, all the countries who have decided to recognize the State of Palestine. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the organizing of this conference, especially Saudi Arabia and France.

From here, I send my warmest greetings to all my Palestinian brothers and sisters, particularly the oppressed people of Gaza.

Related items: 

• High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution – Question of Palestine
• New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State solution – UN High-Level International Conference [AR, EN, FR, ES, RU, CH] – Question of Palestine
• Annex – New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution (A/CONF.243/2025/1/Add.1) – Question of Palestine