Erdoğan speaks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, proposes mediation

President Tayyip Erdoğan said “Türkiye is ready for mediation” after he spoke over the phone with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to demand an “immediate halt to attacks on civilians.”

“I would like to emphasize that Türkiye is ready for any kind of mediation, including prisoner exchange if the parties request it,” Erdoğan said in a speech after the cabinet meeting on October 9.

His speech came after the Turkish president spoke to Palestinian President Abbas, Israeli President Herzog, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim, Lebanese Prime Minister Mikati and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over the phone.

He stated that the leaders “discussed how to stop the bloodshed.”

As the death toll rises to thousands following the third day of clashes and air raids, Erdoğan said he demands “Israel to stop its bombardment to Palestinian territories, including Gaza, and that urged Palestinians to stop their attacks on civilian settlements of Israel.”

Erdoğan said he disapproved of both Israeli and Palestinian targeting of civilians.

“Just as we oppose the oppression, persecution, extrajudicial killings, threats to life and property by Israeli security forces and illegal settlers against Palestinians, we are equally opposed to random acts against Israeli civilians,” the message read.

“The destruction of Gaza by disproportionate air and ground attacks, the bombing of mosques and the deaths of innocent children, women, elderly and civilians are unacceptable. If similar scenes have occurred in actions targetting Israeli cities, we strongly disapprove of them.”

His message he posted on his social media account reads as follows:

“It is clear that the problem in the region cannot be solved by constantly harassing the Palestinian people, disregarding their security of life and property, confiscating their homes and lands, destroying their infrastructure and hindering their development.

Such an approach will only lead to an increase in conflicts caused by deepening unrest, and continuous bloodshed on both sides, and ultimately, the search for peace will always end in frustration.

Israel’s approach, which disregards the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people, also threatens the security of its people, as evidenced by the latest incident.

Just as we oppose the oppression, persecution, extrajudicial killings, and threats to life and property by Israeli security forces and illegal settlers against Palestinians, we are equally opposed to random acts against Israeli civilians.

The destruction of Gaza by disproportionate air and ground attacks, the bombing of mosques and the deaths of innocent children, women, the elderly and civilians are unacceptable.

If similar scenes have emerged in protests against Israeli cities, we strongly disapprove of them.

We call on the Israeli government to stop its bombardment of Palestinian territories, especially Gaza, and on the Palestinians to stop their harassment of civilian settlements in Israel.

This step of moderation will open the door to peace.

The day is not the day of impulsiveness, but of acting with state wisdom, cold-bloodedness and human conscience.

As Türkiye, I would like to state that we are ready for all kinds of mediation, including prisoner exchange, if requested by the parties.

We are also making the necessary preparations for the supply of humanitarian aid materials that the people of Gaza will need.

Today, I had very productive telephone conversations with Palestinian President Mr. Abbas and Israeli President Mr. Herzog.

We also met with the Emir of Qatar Mr. Sheikh Tamim, Prime Minister of Lebanon Mr. Mikati, Prime Minister of Malaysia Mr. Anwar Ibrahim and discussed how we can stop the bloodshed.

We will hopefully continue our diplomatic contacts and make every effort to end the conflicts and restore calm as soon as possible.”