Abbas Vows Gaza Visit, Condemns US Support for Israel in Turkish Parliament

In a significant diplomatic event, Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian President, addressed Turkey's parliament on August 15, 2024. During his 46-minute speech, Abbas made several notable statements and announcements, highlighting the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Abbas revealed his decision to visit Gaza and Jerusalem, stating, "I have decided to head with the Palestinian Authority members to the Gaza Strip. I will exert every effort so we can all be with our people to stop this barbaric aggression even if it costs us our lives." This announcement comes amidst the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza, which began following a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

The Palestinian leader strongly criticized the United States for its support of Israel, accusing it of prolonging the "catastrophe" by backing Israel and vetoing resolutions at the United Nations Security Council. Abbas called for legal action against Israel, urging the world to punish the country for alleged war crimes and violations of international law.

Turkey's invitation to Abbas was seen as a response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the U.S. Congress on July 24, 2024. Turkish parliament speaker Numan Kurtulmus drew a stark contrast between the two speeches, stating, "On July 24, a war criminal gave a speech which was full of lies in the U.S. Congress. Here today, Mahmoud Abbas stated the truth and the Palestinian cause in every sentence."

The conflict has had severe consequences, with over 40,000 people reportedly killed in Gaza since the Israeli assault began. Turkey has taken a strong stance against Israel's actions, halting all trade and submitting a request to join South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a staunch supporter of Hamas, attended Abbas's speech along with ministers and lawmakers from all political parties. The event underscores Turkey's continued support for the Palestinian cause and its diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing conflict in the region.

"I have decided to head with the Palestinian Authority members to the Gaza Strip. I will exert every effort so we can all be with our people to stop this barbaric aggression even if it costs us our lives."

As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to be one of the world's longest-running and most controversial disputes, Abbas's address to the Turkish parliament marks another chapter in the complex diplomatic landscape surrounding this issue. The international community remains divided, with various nations and organizations taking different stances on the conflict and its resolution.