At the Bosphorus Diplomacy Forum, Türkiye’s president sent greetings to activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is preparing to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, wishing them protection against “Israeli state terror.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed strong support for the crew of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian-led initiative preparing to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, wishing them protection against “Israeli state terror.”
“Unarmed activities, volunteers are delivering aid to Gaza. We salute the travelers of the Sumud Flotilla,” Erdogan said while speaking at the Bosphorus Diplomacy Forum held on Saturday in Istanbul, praising their courage and commitment to the Palestinian cause.
Erdogan salutes Global Sumud Flotilla;
“Unarmed activities, volunteers are delivering aid to Gaza. We salute the travelers of the Sumud Flotilla.”
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) September 27, 2025
Muslim News gathered that the Global Sumud Flotilla, comprising international activists, has embarked on the final leg of its peaceful journey to break Israel’s naval blockade and deliver essential supplies and solidarity to
people in war-battered Gaza.
Erdogan’s remarks further reinforce Turkiye’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause and its criticism of Israel’s policies in Gaza.
Recognition of Palestine “belated, but significant”
Speaking further, President Erdogan described the recent wave of recognition of Palestine by several countries as “belated, but significant.”
He said recognising a Palestinian state is a “crucial step” towards justice but lamented that it had come too late, after tens of thousands of lives were lost in Gaza.
“Any effort to correct past wrongs is welcome. But why was this not done before 65,000 innocent lives were lost?” he asked.
Erdogan to Netanyahu;
“Yesterday at the UN, the murderer called Netanyahu had to address those empty seats in the hall,
Do not bring tears to the oppressed, for they will return, slow yet certain.”
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) September 27, 2025
Strong criticism of Israel
Erdogan accused Israel of carrying out “genocidal” policies in Gaza and warned that aspirations for a Palestinian state would remain incomplete “unless Israel is stopped.”
He called for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and what he termed his “genocidal cadre” to be put on trial without delay.
“Those who reduce the issue in Gaza to just Hamas are slowly beginning to realise that the reality is quite different,” Erdogan said, stressing that hunger was being “recklessly used as a weapon of mass destruction” against civilians.
Regional and global responsibility
The Turkish leader criticised the lack of international response, noting that Netanyahu had faced “empty seats” at the UN General Assembly the previous day. “The head of this genocide network had no audience for their lies and threats,” he said.
Erdogan:
“All countries should protest and bar Israel at the international sports competitions. All countries should end trade with Israel to make it pay for over $100bn damages in Gaza”
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) September 27, 2025
Erdogan broadened his remarks to regional conflicts, declaring: “Every life lost on the streets of Gaza, Yemen, Syria, Sudan, Somalia tears a piece from our own hearts. Even if everyone else remains indifferent, we cannot remain insensitive to suffering, oppression, and endless conflicts in our region.”
Türkiye’s role and global order
Presenting Türkiye as a force for stability, Erdogan said his country has “worked for a just peace” and aims to ensure “peace and tranquility in a strong, lasting way” in the Middle East.
He argued that the post-World War II order, designed by victorious powers, has now “lost both its functionality and credibility.” As a result, he warned, global peace and security have been replaced by “an endless cycle of war an instability.”
Erdogan;
“Couldn’t Palestine have been officially recognized before it was made unrecognizable by the hands of Israel
Couldn’t we have stood up for Palestine without 65,000 innocents dying?”
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) September 27, 2025
“While warlords pour fuel on the fire, Türkiye continues to pave the way towards peace in Palestine, Gaza, and across the region,” he concluded.
With additional information from TRT AFRIKA