Erdogan's Speech at the United Nations: Words Without Action!
(Translated)
News:
In his speech before the United Nations General Assembly, Erdogan described what is happening in Gaza as genocide, stressing that the entity of the Jews is killing children daily, and called on the international system to take action. He published pictures from Gaza, and said: "There is no war in Gaza; it is a policy of occupation, displacement and massacres."
He repeated his famous phrase "the world is bigger than five," criticizing the structure of the United Nations, and announced that relations with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and America are strengthening, and that Turkey will host the alliance summit in 2026. Other highlights of his speech included a focus on the environment, artificial intelligence, waste reduction, and the family.
Comment:
Erdogan drew attention to many global issues, especially the issue of Palestine. However, his words, from an Islamic perspective, are considered hollow, detached from reality, and not free from the restrictions of the global colonial system.
Erdogan's words may have touched emotions, especially with regard to Palestine. But from an Islamic point of view, the biggest flaw in this speech is that these strong words are not translated into actions. While the children of Gaza are dying of starvation, and the sector is turning into a camp of death and destruction under a comprehensive siege, the voice of the oppressed is nothing more than words.
His criticism of the United Nations was also superficial. The United Nations, which is called to "reform," is the same system established by the oppressors. The nation's duty is not to revive it, but to establish a new world order based on Islam. Erdogan's repeated phrase "the world is bigger than five" seems to be a criticism of the five-member Security Council. While this phrase resonates positively with peoples who despise the global order, the truth is that America itself is dissatisfied with the post-World War II system it created and seeks to change. Therefore, Erdogan's call for reform is in line with America's own interests.
Moreover, Erdogan's praise of strengthening relations with NATO is a humiliation for Muslims, not an honor for them. Cooperation with an organization that has killed millions of Muslims from Afghanistan to Iraq, and from Syria to Libya, is not a matter of pride, but a matter of shame.
Also, the idea of a "two-state solution" is the product of a colonial mentality. In the Palestinian and Cypriot contexts, this phrase only means recognizing the existence of Jews on the land of Palestine and the Greek presence on the island of Cyprus. However, both are occupied. The solution does not lie in legitimizing and recognizing these two occupations, but in ending them.
Although Erdogan's speech included remarkable words and remarks, it carries no weight when compared to Turkey's actual political position over the past two years amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
The details of Erdogan's meeting with Trump after his speech at the United Nations reveal how Turkey, despite its enormous strategic location and great power dynamics, has fallen into a state of weakness. Major agreements were concluded with America, the full extent of which has not yet been revealed. Among its provisions are the construction of civil nuclear facilities in Turkey, Turkish Airlines purchasing hundreds of passenger planes from America, F-35 and F-16 fighter jets, military equipment, the transfer of liquefied natural gas via American ships, and even the allocation of some rare earth minerals from Turkey to America.
Trump's welcoming of Erdogan upon his arrival, his application of high-level protocol, his pulling out of his chair, sitting next to him, holding a private meeting that lasted more than two hours, and his repeated praise of him are not without reason.
The words of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio are expressive, as he said: "All other countries, including Turkey, are practically begging us to intervene in these matters... In the end, there are leaders who are begging to participate in this. They call and say: Can we shake hands with the President for five minutes?"
While many world leaders are begging to shake hands with Trump for five minutes, Erdogan's two-hour meeting indicates the enormous concessions that Turkey has made and the new roles that it is scheduled to assume in implementing American regional plans!
Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir
Ramzi Uzeir
