Palestine leader Abbas speaks in Turkish Parliament, says will visit Gaza

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Aug. 15 gave a speech at the Turkish Parliament, in which he declared he would visit Gaza and Jerusalem soon in protest of Israel's occupation. The attendees including President Erdoğan gave a standing ovation after the 45-minute speech.

Thursday August 15 2024 10:33 pm

Reuters

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Aug. 15 told Turkey's parliament he had decided to visit Gaza and Jerusalem to protest Israel's war on the enclave, adding that he saw no end to the conflict unless Israel withdrew from occupied Palestinian lands.

Abbas, who met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara on Wednesday to discuss the war and ceasefire efforts, addressed an extraordinary session of Turkey's parliament general assembly at the invitation of the Turkish government.

In a 46-minute speech attended by Erdoğan, his ministers, and lawmakers from all political parties, Abbas accused the United States of prolonging the "catastrophe" by supporting Israel and vetoing resolutions at the United Nations Security Council. He also called on the world to legally punish Israel for its war crimes and violations of international law.

"I have decided to head with the Palestinian Authority (PA) members to the Gaza Strip. I will exert every effort so we can all be with our people to stop this barbaric aggression even if it costs us our lives," Abbas said, adding that he would also go to Jerusalem. He did not specify when he would visit.

Abbas heads the PA, which exercises limited self-rule in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

He received a standing ovation before and after his speech, which was also interrupted repeatedly by applause.

Turkey's invitation to Abbas came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the U.S. Congress in July.

"On July 24, a war criminal gave a speech which was full of lies in the U.S. Congress. Here today, Mahmoud Abbas stated the truth and the Palestinian cause in every sentence," Turkish parliament speaker Numan Kurtulmuş said, speaking after Abbas.

Israel's most recent assault on Gaza following the Oct. 7 attacks has killed more than 40,000 people.

Turkey has denounced the war and halted all trade with Israel. It submitted a request to join South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide.

Erdoğan has repeatedly voiced his support of Hamas, and said Turkey had also planned to invite the political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran.