Parties in Turkish Parliament, divided on almost everything, unite in support and solidarity with Palestine against Israel’s aggression.
The only issue uniting the political parties in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), which are divided on almost every matter, was once again evident during the August 29 session: the escalating Israeli aggression against Palestine and the Palestinian people. Despite being on recess, the parliament convened extraordinarily to strongly condemn Israel’s “annihilation and annexation” policies against the Palestinian people, declaring that the use of “famine as a weapon of destruction” in Gaza constitutes a “crime of genocide.” (The full text can be read via this link.) The parliament called for the suspension of Israel’s UN membership until it abandons its “genocidal policies” and unanimously, with Turkish-Palestinian flags decorated scarfs on their shoulders, issued four appeals to world parliaments.
These are:
• Terminate all military and commercial relations with Israel and urgently act to break the embargo imposed on the Palestinian people;
• Reject and condemn Israel’s genocide and colonial policies in the occupied Palestinian territories;
• Defend the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, uphold the two-state solution perspective, and call on countries that have not recognized the State of Palestine to do so;
• Join the “Group of Parliaments Supporting Palestine,” established under the leadership of the TBMM in Istanbul on April 18, 2025.
Unanimous Vote Against Israel
At the initiative of the main opposition CHP leader Özgür Özel and the call of Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, the parliament convened extraordinarily to discuss tougher measures against Israel’s policies of annihilation, annexation, and displacement against Palestine and Palestinians. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized that Turkey is the only country to have completely cut trade with Israel, while Özel noted that, despite such statements, trade had continued through third countries until it was fully halted last week following his party’s persistent warnings. Fidan added that Turkey’s airspace has been closed to all commercial flights to Israel.
Highlighting that Israel, with U.S. support, continues “state terrorism,” Fidan described the Netanyahu government as “the most racist in Israel’s history,” enabled by U.S. backing. Özel accused Fidan and Erdoğan of not standing up to Israel strongly enough due to fear of the U.S.
Airdrop Aid To Begin
Özel questioned why the Turkish Air Force, unlike other countries (*), has not conducted airdrop aid deliveries to Palestinians besieged in Gaza, where Israel has blocked humanitarian aid by land. Fidan responded that approval had been received from President Tayyip Erdoğan, transport planes were being prepared for humanitarian aid airdrops, and permission for an air corridor was being awaited from Jordan.
Despite these heated debates, the parliament unanimously adopted a resolution prepared by the Speaker’s Office condemning Israel and calling for global sanctions.
Note:
(*) Canada, Singapore, Belgium, Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Indonesia.
