Özgür Özel's jab at Hakan Fidan: 'The Minister has nothing to say to America or Israel, but in Turkey, it's all about TikTok'

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, during the extraordinary session of the TBMM for Gaza, stated: "Let us act together. I invite all opposition parties in Turkey to join a support visit to Palestine under the leadership of Mr. Erdoğan. We are in. Are you? We will submit a motion to ensure this Parliament continues its work and does not go on recess. As a first step, we propose the establishment of a Palestine Monitoring and Support Commission. Are you in? We propose that all commercial relations with Israel, including trade through third countries, be completely severed by an official circular. Are you in? We propose condemning Trump for calling Netanyahu a 'war hero.' Are you in?"

The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) convened in an extraordinary session under the chairmanship of Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş to discuss Israel's attacks on Gaza and the current situation in the region. CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, speaking on behalf of his party in the General Assembly, said the following:

"Turkey is a democratic state of law, as written in its Constitution. Sovereignty belongs to the nation. The TBMM is the address where the voting will of our 86 million citizens is embodied. This Parliament is the roof that managed our national struggle for independence, founded our state, and developed it. Even though the columns of this roof were cut eight years ago by a constitutional amendment that targeted the regime, it is our duty to protect our Parliament as the place where the nation's will is manifested, with the awareness that if this roof collapses, it is the nation that will remain underneath. Moving away from Parliament severs politics' connection with the nation. Approaching Parliament is approaching the nation. With this understanding, the CHP, with the favorable opinions and joint signatures of nine political parties and the positive outlook of all opposition parties, called for the Parliament to convene to discuss Israel's massacres in Palestine, which amount to genocide. I hope that today, discussions representing the common will and conscience of our nation will be held and decisions will be made here, and I would like to begin my words by thanking the Speaker who called the Parliament to session, as well as all participating political parties and deputies, with the intention of ensuring this."

"OUR PARTY CONTINUES ALONG THE LINE OF THE STRUGGLE IT HAS WAGED IN PALESTINE"

Exactly 691 days have passed since October 8, 2023. For 691 days, Israel has been carrying out massacres and genocide in Palestine. To date, 70,000 innocent people, more than half of whom are women and children, have been killed. The history of the problem in Palestine dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. Over the years, tens of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced from their homelands. Even after the State of Israel was established in 1948, blood and tears have not ceased on Palestinian lands. Israel has not complied with the 1967 United Nations (UN) resolution and has driven the hope for a two-state solution into a deadlock with a cruelty that amounts to genocide. The CHP has defended the Palestinian cause with historical consistency and will continue to do so. The will and determination shown by our Third Chairman, Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit, in 1979 for the Palestine Liberation Organization to open its first representative office in Ankara remains one of the most important milestones in Turkey-Palestine relations. Our party continues the Palestinian struggle along the lines of the friendship established by Bülent Ecevit and Yasser Arafat, and the struggle waged by Deniz Gezmiş and his friends in Palestine."

"WE HAVE DEFENDED THE PALESTINIAN CAUSE"

In all our international contacts to date, as the Minister also assessed a moment ago, we have defended the Palestinian cause. We have written letters to 119 political parties around the world, including 24 led by heads of government, inviting them to react to the Israeli genocide and to recognize Palestine. In the Socialist International, where I serve as vice president, and in the Party of European Socialists, the umbrella organization for left-social democratic parties in European Union (EU) member countries, we have kept the issue constantly on the agenda and have always succeeded in including support for Palestine and condemnation of Israel in all draft resolutions. Furthermore, all our colleagues serving in the Council of Europe and the European Parliament have embraced this cause closely and kept it on the agenda in their work abroad. We also ensured that the issue of Palestine, with all its urgency, was added to the agenda of the Socialist International meeting to be held in Madrid on September 22. We will demonstrate an effective stance and determination for results there as well. We will continue our international efforts to the end."

"TURKEY MUST HAVE SANCTIONS"

At this stage, Israel has two malicious plans today. The first is to completely empty Gaza, and the second is to sever the connection between East Jerusalem and the West Bank. This is an openly brutal policy of ethnic cleansing. The goal of this plan is both to end the genocide that has been ongoing in Gaza for 691 days through displacement and to effectively eliminate the hope for an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital by rendering the 1967 UN resolution unenforceable. To find a solution, one must first correctly identify the problem and confront where Israel gets this audacity. There are two reasons for this. The first is the unconditional support of the United States (US) administration. Because Israel has the US behind it, it thinks no power can stop it and is destroying Palestine step by step. The second is that the region and the world are not, and cannot be, a deterrent, which encourages Israel in this recklessness. The attitudes of those who govern the Islamic world, with its 2.5 billion population, are either insufficient or, unfortunately, in favor of Israel. In this situation, Turkey, as the most powerful state in the region, should have a say, weight, and sanctions against this; this is what is expected of us.

"THE MASKS OF THOSE WHO CANNOT SAY A SINGLE WORD TO TRUMP HAVE FALLEN"

The head of the Palestinian Scholars, Marwan Abu Ras, had described Erdoğan's stance on the situation in Arakan as a 'brave, upright stance' and thanked him. The Anadolu Agency (AA) reported this. Pro-government media highlighted this for days. Now, the same Palestinian scholar, Marwan Abu Ras, asks at the Muslim Scholars Gathering, 'While Trump and the oppressors are openly giving all kinds of support to Israel, what are the leaders of other countries, especially Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia, waiting for?' and asks, 'Are they not ashamed of this situation?' It is time to draw a conclusion from this assessment by this scholar, who was featured in headlines when he praised the stance on Arakan, and to think a little about this issue. A government that has ruled Turkey for 23 years and has been involved in the Palestinian cause for the last 23 years needs to show a sincere stance here. This meeting is a meeting where we will talk about what has not been done for Palestine and what needs to be done. For this reason, everything must be expressed openly here. Because the masks of those who cannot show a sincere stance while engaging in shadowboxing with Netanyahu in cool halls, and who can criticize Netanyahu but cannot say a single word to his main supporter, Trump, have fallen. Our nation can no longer stomach this hypocrisy. Right here, at this point, in this chamber, I would like to once again commemorate with mercy and gratitude Saadet Party Kocaeli Deputy Hasan Bitmez, who lost his life on December 12, 2023, while rebelling against this hypocrisy.

ISRAEL CONFESSION

Since October 8, 2023, we have demanded that trade with Israel be cut off. In all research conducted at that time, 80 percent of Turkey knew that trade with Israel was continuing and objected to it. However, these criticisms and calls of ours were denied by the government in the harshest terms, and it was claimed that there was no trade with Israel. However, exactly 15 months after our objections, on December 15, 2024, the Ministry of Trade issued a circular and stated that commercial relations had been severed. This circular was a confession of the red-hot trade that those who had been saying 'we are not trading with Israel' for months had been continuing before that date. Even after this date, trade with Israel continued through third countries, and we revealed this with official data. Because Turkey became the fifth largest exporter to Israel in 2024.

Now, we learned from a news report by a foreign news agency—and the world and the Turkish public learned—that a document would be requested from ships arriving at Turkish ports and bringing cargo to Israel, stating that they do not carry military or dangerous goods. I learned this from a boarding school friend of mine who works for an international shipping company and with whom I am in the same WhatsApp group. But they were saying that this was an unofficial practice, that there was no circular for it, and that there would not be one, and that it would only be carried out with verbal instructions in this matter. This became public and was not denied by anyone. So, in this case, it is nothing but a confession that until last week, ships carrying military cargo and dangerous goods to Israel were somehow allowed and turned a blind eye to. It is also crystal clear that the detention of young people who protested the continuation of trade until today is actually the result of a guilty conscience.

"IF THE MINISTER CONDUCTS POLITICS WITH THE UNDERSTANDING OF 'NOTHING TO SAY TO AMERICA OR ISRAEL, BUT ALL ABOUT TIKTOK IN TURKEY,' HE WILL RECEIVE AN ANSWER IN THE LANGUAGE HE DESERVES"

On the other hand, we have insistently stated that Turkey should lead international sanctions against Israel. Recently, there was a debate about the Bogota Declaration. In Colombia, the Hague Group countries came together for Gaza. An action plan containing heavy sanctions against Israel was prepared. The plan called for a complete cessation of trade with Israel and the prosecution of those who committed crimes in Palestinian territories in these countries. Turkey left the plan, which 12 countries signed, without signing it. The Minister is here. We asked him why they did not sign this declaration. After remaining silent for a few days, he chose to respond with a condescending tone, claiming that we did not know the subject, that at best we were misled, and even questioning the competence of the friends around us on this issue. And he said, 'If we had signed this declaration, we would have violated UNCLOS. If there is anyone who wants us to do this, they should know that our theses in the Aegean would be harmed.'

By not signing this document, we stood behind Turkey's theses in the Aegean. 'Is the country's main opposition party supporting Greek theses?' Look at this demagoguery, this polemic. The answer was simple. Two of those 12 countries had signed the text with reservations. We said, 'You could have placed a reservation regarding UNCLOS and signed it.' A few days after his objections, made with the same condescending tone, the Deputy Minister came out and said they had signed it by including the reservations the CHP had suggested.

Later, they ask me, 'What did the Minister say that made you so angry?' If you tell the chairman of the party founded by the commander of the armies that drove the Greeks into the sea—tomorrow is August 30th—that carried out the Great Offensive, won a great victory, and liberated the country from Greek occupation on September 9th, that he is 'supporting the Greek thesis,' you will get the answer you deserve, Mr. Minister. Otherwise, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is one of the ministries we cherish. But the Foreign Minister will not try to swap perception with reality through perception management. He will not be busy with Kurtlar Vadisi music or TikTok videos that make him look like a deep-state operative. On the contrary, if the Minister conducts politics with the mindset of 'nothing to say to America or Israel, but in Turkey, it's all about TikTok,' he will receive the response he deserves.

"YOU CANNOT FIND A SINGLE WORD FROM ERDOĞAN AGAINST TRUMP"

Now, the real issue is the US administration and Trump. One day, Trump came out and said that Gaza was a magnificent place, that he would clear it out, turn it into a resort town, and open casinos. A newspaper close to the government—a newspaper that speaks for this government, targets people, occasionally insults them, and prepares the ground for this government's thoughts in advance—turned around and described this as a 'Hijra.' They tried to present Prophet Muhammad's Hijra and Trump's displacement on the same ground, within the same measure of reasonableness, and with a sense of sanctity. This is the sole reason for all the rebellion, all the rebellion that people in Turkey have shown you, and the high reaction seen in the polls. You have to sit down and evaluate this; you have to talk about this. The pro-government newspaper did this. Well, did Mr. Erdoğan say anything about this statement by Trump? We all have mobile phones in our hands. Let's go to a search engine, type in this statement by Trump, and search for an objection to it. You will see 500 statements from Özgür Özel and hundreds from all opposition party leaders. Will you be able to see a single objection from Erdoğan, a single word against Trump? Find it on your mobile phones and prove me wrong. You cannot do it.

Furthermore, the Trump administration held our daughter Rümeysa Öztürk, who wrote an article defending the Palestinian cause, in detention for 45 days. Have you heard Erdoğan defend Rumeysa and criticize the Trump administration? At the same time, our daughter Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, who was also a US citizen, was killed by Israeli soldiers in Palestine. We were at her funeral in Didim with the Speaker. Have you heard a condemnation from Erdoğan to Trump, America, or Israel on this matter? That wasn't enough; the Madleen ship, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, was intercepted. Did Erdoğan, who said 'Did you ask me before you went?' during the Mavi Marmara incident, utter a single sentence for the Madleen ship? After all this, Mr. Erdoğan comes out and says, 'Özgür Özel cannot question my sensitivity toward Palestine.' And I tell him, 'Something that doesn't exist cannot be questioned. Unfortunately, your sensitivity toward Palestine has been situational. When the situation required it, there was sensitivity.' Now, it is possible to speak not of a sensitivity toward Palestine, but of a sensitivity toward Trump, a fear of Trump.

"IS IT WORTH HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN DYING OF HUNGER IN PALESTINE?"

Let's come to where the fear of Trump and the dependency stem from. Mr. Erdoğan made a decision on March 19, 2025. He chose to establish a system where he could maintain his seat through pressure instead of relying on the support of the nation. To establish this system and get rid of the rival who would defeat him in an election, he needed Trump's support. We mentioned that Trump was informed about this and that permission was obtained. We did not hear a denial, neither from America nor from here. But we heard from America, from Trump's closest team, saying, 'Turkey is a third-world country. You take the dissidents there, throw them in jail, deal with them, and continue on your way. Erdoğan is doing the same.' We did not hear a single condemnation or a single statement from you on this matter. I ask now; even if you succeeded, even if you got rid of all your rivals with Trump's support, and you are in power for another term, is it worth the destruction of Palestine in return? Is this benefit worth the tears of a child in Palestine, the hundreds of children dying of hunger, being broken? I ask; is it worth the Middle East falling under Israeli hegemony? The Palestinian representative to the UN says, 'Inaction against such widespread suffering is complicity.' Is it worth being complicit with Trump through this inaction? What will you do? When Gaza is emptied, will you go to Trump and accompany him as he enjoys playing golf there?

"I INVITE THE OPPOSITION PARTIES TO VISIT PALESTINE IN SUPPORT UNDER ERDOĞAN'S LEADERSHIP"

If that is not the case, if you object, then we are exactly on the same page. Come, let us act together. For example, I propose this here, and I do not think any of our party leaders would object: I invite all opposition parties in Turkey to join a support visit to Palestine under the leadership of Mr. Erdoğan. We are in. Are you? We will submit a motion today for this Parliament to continue its work and not go on recess. As a first step, we propose the establishment of a Palestine Monitoring and Support Commission. Are you in? We propose that all commercial relations with Israel, including trade through third countries, be completely severed by an official circular. Are you in? We propose condemning the Trump administration for this support given to Netanyahu and for calling Netanyahu a 'war hero.' Are you in? We propose to intervene in all anti-Israel cases at the International Court of Justice. We invite Turkey to become a party to all cases to be filed against Israel. We propose providing diplomatic and logistical support to every organization that documents war crimes and human rights violations committed in Palestine. We expect you to officially call for the UN to impose an embargo on Israel and for the UN Peacekeeping Force to intervene in the genocide. Are you in?

Now I would like to touch upon a completely different matter. These countries have one thing in common: Canada, Singapore, Belgium, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Indonesia. Each of them delivered humanitarian aid to Palestine by air when the aid they sent by land did not reach them. Did Turkey do it? No. We asked the most competent figures in the Armed Forces about this. They said, 'After the US, we are one of the most capable armies in airborne operations, one that can do it best with a single order; that is the Turkish Air Force. With one order, we would go to Palestine; we would end the hunger, thirst, and deprivation there by raining aid from the sky.' But this requires a political decision. Do you have the courage to make this political decision? Or I ask: If 300 children are dying of hunger in Palestine, and if the burden is on the whole world, if the greatest burden is not ours, then whose is it? If we are not going to do this, what is the reason for us not doing what Canada, which is on the other side of the world, does, what the United Arab Emirates has the courage to do, what Egypt does, and what Singapore does? My Ministers, my Chairmen, I ask you, I ask you looking into your eyes: In 1974, while the whole world was saying 'Don't,' the Air Force, which landed anti-tank weapons, all kinds of ammunition, and hospitals on the island with the technology of that day, let alone the soldiers, could end the hunger in Palestine. To make this decision, this Parliament must continue to work.

"THIS NATION WILL NOT LET YOU SIT THERE"

Friends, finally, I would like to remind you of this: The Trump administration is becoming increasingly authoritarian. It also maintains good relations with the world's authoritarian regimes. It wants to shape many countries, including Turkey. If the government sees this policy of Trump not as a trap but as an opportunity, it is in a great delusion. Authoritarian regimes in the Middle East were built by US policies. The organizations trying to replace them were also empowered by the US. But now, all of them have been thrown into the dustbin of history by the US. Let us remember the past a little: In that old Turkey you do not like, a coalition between the CHP and the National Salvation Party could be formed. That coalition could provide all kinds of support for Palestine. It could challenge the US. Contrary to the relationship this government maintains with Trump, despite all threats to Turkey, diplomacy was pushed to the limit, then it could be said 'Ayşe should go on vacation,' and innocent girls in Cyprus, waiting and wondering 'Will they kill us tonight?', could look at the sky and say 'Our people.' Will you be able to make the children in Palestine say 'Our people'? I am not saying 'Land troops there. Drop weapons.' Send food, send water, send flour, send bread. If you do not do this, this nation will not let you sit there.

"IF THIS ATROCITY CONTINUES IN PALESTINE, THIS PARLIAMENT CANNOT BE ON RECESS"

We do not do politics just for the sake of politics. We do not do politics just for the sake of words. We do politics because we truly feel it. We are here today because we are truly ashamed. If this atrocity continues in Palestine while this Parliament is on recess, this Parliament cannot be on recess. While the state of children in this country is like this, while the nation is hungry and unemployed in this country, the representative of the nation is not on vacation, the Parliament is. And in the process from now on, I only say this, Mr. Minister, with great sincerity, and if you do this, you will receive praise, not criticism, from now on, rest assured, not only from us but from all parties. I listened to your speech. I listened with the ears of Netanyahu's advisor. He went and said, 'There is nothing. At most, they will publish a joint declaration. They will condemn us, write a line or two, and then leave. There is no risk.' Netanyahu was relieved. There was nothing in your speech other than a situation assessment. There was nothing to cause concern. There was nothing you could say to the Parliament, looking into its eyes, like 'You are the Parliament that managed the War of Independence. Do not worry, trust us here.'

"MR. MINISTER, YOUR SPEECH SOUNDED LIKE A LULLABY TO NETANYAHU"

I propose this: If his advisor goes to Netanyahu in a little while and says this: 'Starting with Erdoğan, all opposition leaders have decided to come to Palestine.' If he says this: 'Their parliament was on recess, they gathered in an extraordinary session. There were 32 days of recess left, they decided to work every day.' If he says this: 'The Justice Committee decided to work. The National Defense Committee decided to work. The Human Rights Committee decided to work. The Intelligence Committee decided to work. The Foreign Affairs Committee decided to work continuously. Effective information, working in committees with the consensus of the entire Parliament, and the proposal of laws for support to Palestine, they decided that the Parliament would work seven days a week. They all signed another joint decision together. Turkey has instructed the Turkish Air Force for all the humanitarian aid Palestine needs with the decision of the Parliament.' If he says this, if this decision is conveyed, Netanyahu will not sleep comfortably tonight. But it sounded like a lullaby to him. I have nothing to say about the style of your speech, nothing to say about the tone. But the text is a lullaby for Netanyahu.

I invite all deputies to vote for our motion to continue our work, which will soon be presented to keep Netanyahu awake, and which defines duties, tasks, unity, and solidarity for all parliamentary commissions and deputies serving in the international arena. I invite you to vote for a decision that knows and defends the truth, puts into action the wishes and expressions of gratitude mentioned by the Minister, challenges Israel for the Palestinian cause as a whole, and tells Trump, 'That is going too far.'

As I greet you all, I commemorate with mercy those who lost their lives in the Great Offensive and the War of Independence, as well as those who lost their lives in Palestine. We have held one of the historic sessions of this Parliament. The decision to be made today is a historic one. I expect you to take your place on the right side of history, just like the 98 AKP deputies who pride themselves on the March 1st memorandum. I believe in and trust the conscience of each and every one of you.