Gaza conflict ‘far beyond mutual fighting governed by war laws’: Turkish parliament speaker

By Ali Kemal Akan

ANKARA (AA) – The Gaza conflict is “far beyond a mutual fighting governed by war laws,” said the Turkish parliament speaker, as he hosted his Montenegrin counterpart at the parliament on Thursday.

“This is not a war or anything, it is far beyond a mutual fighting governed by the law of war,” said Numan Kurtulmus, who, with Andrija Mandic, chaired a meeting with their delegations, after a one-on-one meeting with Montenegro’s parliament speaker in the capital Ankara.

“We are going through a time, when a state, with the power it receives from some countries that support itself, subjects women, children, elderly, and young people to genocide,” Kurtulmus further said.

He decried silence of world states to Israeli attacks in Gaza, however said it is “promising” to see widespread public support for Palestinians, referring to protests worldwide, particularly in the Western states.

“UN Secretary-General Guterres’s using his authority to call the UN Security Council to duty should be seen as one of the last cries and screams on behalf of humanity,” he added.

On Wednesday, UN chief Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter for the first time since he became the organization’s top official in 2017, as he urged the UN Security Council to act on the war in Gaza.

Guterres said in a letter to the Council: “I urge the Security Council to press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe. I reiterate my appeal for a humanitarian cease-fire to be declared. This is urgent.”

Kurtulmus said Guterres’ call for the UN Security Council is a “crucial plea” for humanity.

The absence of an international mechanism and unconditional support from certain Western countries, notably the US, contributes to the Gaza crisis, he added.

- Türkiye, Montenegro ‘have potential’ to further advance ties

Kurtulmus congratulated Mandic for his assuming the post of parliament speaker, and highlighted the significance of his paying first visit abroad to Türkiye.

He said 250,000 people with Montenegrin descent live in Türkiye, adding: “We see that these people form a good bridge between Türkiye and Montenegro. That is why we attach special importance to this visit.”

On bilateral ties with Montenegro, the Turkish parliament speaker stressed the potential to boost relations in trade, cultural, and defense areas.

He expressed pleasure for Türkiye’s Yunus Emre Institute offering Turkish lessons at the Montenegrin parliament, saying that it will have a positive impact on bilateral ties.

Kurtulmus also said ensuring trust and stability in the turbulent Balkans is Türkiye’s top priority, and it is important to have mutual dialogue and strengthened friendly relations to reduce potential tensions in the region.

In his part, Mandic emphasized their commitment to enhancing economic ties and parliamentary relations with Ankara.

The Montenegrin delegation also visited the site bombed during the 2016 defeated coup in Türkiye.