CHP Chairman Özgür Özel speaks in America: Let's hold the next meeting in Ramallah

Özel spoke at the Socialist International Presidium Meeting held in New York.

Drawing attention to Israel's attacks on Palestine, which have been ongoing for nearly a year, Özel emphasized that more than 41 thousand people have been killed in Gaza so far, and that more than half of them are women and children.

Recalling that Turkish-American activist Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi was killed by Israeli soldiers during protests in the West Bank, Özel said, “The US administration has not even been able to protect the rights of its own citizen against Israel. Our call is for them to abandon this passive stance and the making of excuses, and to fulfill their responsibilities toward Ayşenur.”

"I PROPOSE THAT WE HOLD OUR NEXT MEETING IN RAMALLAH"

Calling on the Socialist International to stand up for Ayşenur and others like her, Özel underlined that the world has not shown a sufficient reaction to the massacres in Palestine either.

Noting that despite everything, the recognition of Palestine as a state by some countries in Europe is a hopeful development, Özel said that the Socialist International must take active initiatives for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza, the provision of humanitarian aid, and the release of hostages.

Demanding that they move beyond wishes and take a concrete stance on the Palestinian issue, Özel said, “To declare our seriousness and sincerity to the whole world, I propose that we hold our next meeting in Ramallah.”

"THE UN MUST FIND SOLUTIONS TO CONFLICTS"

Criticizing the structure and work of the United Nations (UN), Özel said, “We see that the UN has neither been able to achieve sustainable development goals, nor provide improvement in global income distribution, nor find solutions to conflicts around the world, especially in Gaza.”

Pointing to the powers of the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council, Özel stated, “We do not find it right that the 5 victorious countries of a war from the last century are the sole authorities in producing solutions to the problems of this century, and that they still use and cling to a meaningless and archaic right such as the veto power.”

Özel stated that it has now become a necessity for the UN to attain a more effective, democratic, and fair structure.

THE REFUGEE ISSUE

Touching upon the refugee issue, Özel said, “Europe must realize that if you leave Turkey alone with the refugee problem, you will push society toward the harmful policies of the far-right. At the same time, you will face a larger refugee problem in the future, and this will become Europe's problem as much as it is Turkey's.”

Pointing out that income inequality in the world is deepening day by day, Özel emphasized that while the richest 1 percent hold almost half of the world's wealth, billions of people are in poverty and hunger, and that this forms the basis of global injustice.

News Source: AA