Erdoğan makes Israel-Palestine statement following Cabinet meeting

The Presidential Cabinet meeting, chaired by AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has concluded.

The 2.5-hour meeting was expected to cover many topics, primarily Israel's massacre in Gaza, Turkey's offer of a guarantor system for lasting peace, regional developments, and salary increases for civil servants and retirees.

President Erdoğan's statements following the cabinet meeting:

-Turkey must be strong in every field and must develop itself. We know very well that they would consider even our current homeland territory too much for us. We will continue to strengthen our army without harboring hostility toward anyone. We have demonstrated the distance Turkey has covered with concrete figures.

These figures have shown who stands by the Republic. I believe the 100th-anniversary events will serve as a reference for celebrations. We have taught the best lesson to those who spread false information about the Republic celebrations and caused trouble for the nation.

-We have increased the 2024 loan and scholarship amounts for our 1 million 600 thousand students to 2000 lira for undergraduate students, 4000 lira for master's students, and 6000 lira for doctoral students.

-The picture on Sunday also reflected the will of the Gazi (Mustafa Kemal Atatürk). Mustafa Kemal said, "Leave aside words of praise for me, tell me what we will do for the future." Protecting the legacy of the Gazi means drawing a path for the country; they are the ones who serve 85 million. We are the ones who saved Turkey from the shackles placed on its feet.

-For years, they condemned this country to second-class achievements. These are the ones who made life a dungeon for those who worked with a love for Turkey, from the late Menderes to the late Özal. These are the ones who have targeted the national will every 10 years. These are the same people who belittled the people of Anatolia by calling them 'macaroni-eaters,' 'bigots,' or 'belly-scratchers,' who made our girls cry at universities, who usurped the rights of our women, who incited coups, and who insulted earthquake victims because of their voting preferences. We know very well who they are. We will not allow this mob, which even spreads hate speech into Republic celebrations.

-We have not strayed from democracy and the guidance of the national will; we have been among those who embrace society rather than those who polarize the nation for the sake of their political interests. We have gathered everyone around the same goal without seeing differences as a threat. We have given Turkey its greatest achievements in history. We have strived for the Republic of Turkey to remain forever. There have undoubtedly been things we could not do. As the Republic of Turkey celebrates its 100th year, it is stronger and more reputable than ever before. Despite so many attacks, we are proud to have turned this dream into reality.

"HOSPITALS ARE NOT TO BE TOUCHED EVEN IN WAR"

-I believe we will make the Century of Turkey a century of development and peace. We welcomed our 100th year at a time when our brothers and sisters in Gaza are being massacred. Israel, receiving unconditional support from the EU and the US, is committing crimes against humanity before the eyes of the world. The Friendship Hospital, our gift to our Gazan brothers and sisters, was also targeted. Cancer patients have lost access to their medication.

Hospitals are not to be touched even in war. This is the biggest difference between organizations and states. This attack alone is enough to prove that Israel recognizes no humanitarian values. It has martyred 8,500 Palestinians. More than 21 thousand of our Palestinian brothers and sisters have been injured. More than a thousand bodies are under the rubble. The number of displaced people has exceeded 1 million.

-They are being subjected to slaughter with heavy bombardment alongside hunger and thirst. The US and the EU are supporting this. We state that security cannot be ensured by shedding more blood, killing children, and hitting churches, mosques, and marketplaces. Israel, which acts like an organization, must be stopped as soon as possible. We will defend the rights of innocent Gazans on every platform. We have worked to end the conflicts.

-Steps must be taken for a new security mechanism. We are ready to do our part. While trying to end the war through diplomatic channels, we continue to look after our Gazan brothers and sisters. We have ensured the transfer of 54 personnel, including doctors and press members, to the region. 213 tons of aid have been delivered. As long as more aid trucks are allowed to enter through the Rafah Gate, we will increase our aid. The international community must pressure Israel for this.

-The Western world has failed once again in the humanity test in Gaza. 2.3 million oppressed people are struggling to survive; for 25 days, everything belonging to humanity has been destroyed. The EU, let alone condemning, cannot even call for a ceasefire. The UN cannot utter a single critical sentence. They are all trying to find a cover for Israel's oppression in unison. No good will come to the world or humanity from these 'sweet' human rights defenders who do not speak out against Israel's massacres.

"WE ARE THINKING 30 YEARS AHEAD"

-The path to being a country with influence in the international arena passes through the economy. We continue to work for this. The 2024 Presidential plan has been published. The development plan covering the years 2024-2028 will come into effect after parliamentary discussions. While some spend their days with intra-party fights and bargaining, we are thinking 30 years ahead. Our goal is to reach 7.7 trillion dollars in national income.

-We continue to keep the promises we made at the expense of the economy. We have fulfilled our promise of mobile phone and computer support and internet for our youth in formal education. The loan and scholarship amount for our higher education students was a mere 45 liras. We have increased it 27-fold to 1250 liras for undergraduate, 2500 liras for master's, and 3700 liras for doctoral studies. We ensured that students who received loans only pay back the principal amount. We have wiped out a total of 27 billion liras of debt for 3.3 million of our students.

-The process regarding the one-time 5,000 TL payment we will make to our retirees is nearing completion. We will carry out these payments in the coming weeks. We will not let any of our citizens be crushed by inflation.

-The construction of 200 thousand houses in 11 provinces continues. We will carry out the deliveries by the end of the year. We are putting a new loan project into operation through KOSGEB. We are also taking the necessary measures regarding the cost of living. We will absolutely not give any leeway to opportunists. We have made a call to reduce the inflation rate caused by disruptions in the supply chain, especially in food.

More than 400 companies have joined our discount campaign. Rebalancing has begun in sectors like automobiles. We will bring inflation, which affects us like the rest of the world, back to single digits. We expect our nation to continue to trust us on this matter. I congratulate all our athletes who are a source of pride with their worldwide achievements in sports.

News Source: 12punto