Özgür Özel's 'secret session' remarks: 'I cannot reveal what is said, but I will expose what is left unsaid'

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel addressed citizens in the İskenderun district of Hatay.

Making statements regarding the current agenda, Özel called for the reinstatement of the Istanbul Convention to prevent the rising number of femicides.

Drawing attention to the fact that criminals are walking free, Özel said:

“They are murdering women. They are committing heinous crimes. Why? Because there is a culture of impunity. You put them in one door, they come out the other. Unfortunately, the Istanbul Convention was a source of pride for Turkey…

It was for violence against women. It was to reduce femicides. In the year the Istanbul Convention was ratified, femicides plummeted.

They withdrew from it overnight. Mr. Erdoğan, you pulled the state out from behind women. You are emboldening murderers. You are paving the way for violence against women.

I call on all female politicians in Turkey, including those in the AK Party, to take initiative and call for Turkey to return to the Istanbul Convention.

Solve this problem. Stand the state firmly behind women. Let us end these murders together."

Özel also spoke about the secret session the TBMM will hold tomorrow regarding Israel.

"I WILL EXPOSE WHAT IS LEFT UNSAID"

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's statement during the opening of the TBMM that "Israel's next target is us" was highlighted by Özel, who said, "Tomorrow, heaven forbid they just tell us what we already know, beat around the bush, say 'there is a danger, it could happen,' and fail to provide a detailed, step-by-step justification for the claims made by the President from the parliamentary podium; I cannot reveal what is said in the secret session. But I will expose what is left unsaid."

Özel's statements are as follows:

"Tomorrow, a secret session will be held in Parliament at our request. The reason is this: the country's President looked us all in the eye and said from the parliamentary podium, 'Israel's next target is us.'

"CHP WILL NOT SWALLOW THIS TRICK"

Netanyahu might dare to do that, and the most foolish people in the world might attempt it. But there is something else. If this is about spreading fear to tell people, 'Yes, you are hungry, poor, and unemployed, but the danger is great, Israel will attack. You must support me,' then the CHP will not swallow this trick. We will not fall for the games you played in the past. 

"WE WILL DO WHAT IS NECESSARY AND REMAIN SILENT"

We called for a session in Parliament tomorrow. We said hold a closed session. He is not coming himself, he should. His ministers are coming. Let them come. 

A secret session has a 10-year confidentiality period. If they tell us tomorrow that an Israeli attack is imminent and that the next target is Turkey, we will do what is necessary and remain silent.

But tomorrow, heaven forbid they just tell us what we already know, beat around the bush, say 'there is a danger, it could happen,' and fail to provide a detailed, step-by-step justification for the claims made by the President from the parliamentary podium; I cannot reveal what is said in the secret session. But I will expose what is left unsaid.

"WE WILL HOLD THEM HEAVILY ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS"

Let no one expect us to be intimidated by the Israeli threat, to talk about war on television, and to stop talking about poverty, pensioners, minimum wage earners, earthquake victims, farmers, and workers. We will hold them heavily accountable for this."

WHAT HAPPENED?

Following AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's statement that "Turkey is also among Israel's targets," the CHP requested a closed session in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM).

TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş stated regarding the CHP's request, "A closed session can be held regarding Israel's expansionist policies and the measures Turkey can develop."

In line with this, a closed session will be held in the TBMM General Assembly on October 8 regarding Israel's attacks and developments in the region.

During the session, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan and Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler will provide briefings.