By Prof. Huseyin Isiksal
- The author is International Relations and Diplomacy Special Advisor to the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
ISTANBUL (AA) - The great tragedy unfolding in Gaza is evidence that crimes against humanity continue at full throttle in this century, regardless of time. The events starkly reveal the dysfunctionality, and even the expiration of institutions and concepts such as the UN, the UN Security Council and international law.
Moreover, the double standards and dark side of Western countries, which have always touted human rights, democracy, ethical values and freedom of expression, have once again been proven in this context. Cypriot Turks, who have learned all these bitter truths by experiencing and still continue to pay the price for isolation that do not belong to this era, are not strangers to this tragedy.
- Similarities between Bloody Christmas and Gaza
Cypriot Turks, who went through the processes with the 1963 Bloody Christmas attacks, were forced to abandon villages, towns, properties, in short, their homes, in addition to losing hundreds of martyrs.
In the period known as the 11 dark years until the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, citizens, who were forced to live in 39 settlements, equivalent to 3% of the Cyprus island, with no borders or communication with each other, were tested with almost genocide in front of the world.
During the period, protected by the fighters, these areas were deprived of any state services by the structure that turned into a unitary Greek state by force of arms.
Tens of thousands were deprived of their most basic needs. While Turkish officials working in the state were forcibly removed from their jobs, the incomes of those in need who relied on state aid were cut.
Dozens of Cypriot Turks who left their regions to work and meet other needs were kidnapped and killed by the Greeks. According to reports prepared by the UN, approximately 56,000 Cypriot Turks, equivalent to half of the population at that time, managed to survive in tents and with the aid of the UN, Red Cross and Red Crescent.
Throughout the 11 dark years, despite inhumane practices endured by Turkish Cypriots being documented in reports presented by the UN Secretary-General to the Security Council, the Security Council members and the Western world, much like they are doing in Palestine today, preferred to watch events unfold.
The Peaceful Operation conducted by Türkiye, the guarantor country, on July 20, 1974, to prevent the annexation of the island to Greece and ensure the safety of Turkish Cypriots, demonstrated that the prevention of genocides is not solely through Security Council or international legal decisions, which are no more valuable than a piece of paper, but through active and effective intervention in the field.
The tragedy that the Palestinian people are currently experiencing without having a guarantor state, and war crimes they face every day, once again remind us of the cruelty of war, the loneliness of the oppressed, the silence of the powerful and the human shame where even aid convoys are subject to various permits while children are being killed.
- Why guarantorship is necessary?
The tragedy in Gaza as evident, the core issue is the attempt to impose one side's sovereignty on the other forcibly. Another similarity between the two cases is one side's refusal to accept the sovereignty, the right to self-determination and even the existence of the "other" who is ethnically, religiously and culturally different.
In this context, the genocidal attempts by Israel against Palestinians today and by the Greek side against Turkish Cypriots in the past, along with the economic and political isolations imposed on both communities, are by no means innocent.
Witnessing the consequences of the unhealthy and bigoted mindset that still elects mayors of all cities and municipalities within the borders of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) despite nearly 50 years having passed since considering itself the sole legitimate authority in Cyprus, we see the potential disasters such a mindset may lead to in Gaza.
In a geography where Türkiyey's effective and actual guarantorship and deterrence are absent, undoubtedly, the ultimate result of the hegemonic mindset is evident.
At this point, the profound and immortal meaning of two sayings by the founding President of the TRNC, Rauf Raif Denktas, has once again emerged. Denktas' frequently used phrases: "Remember me as the person who brought the Turkish army to the island" and "The highest level a people can reach is to have a state."
Just like in Cyprus, ending the suffering and tears in Gaza can only be achieved through an effective and actual guarantorship system ensuring the safety of the Palestinian people and a two-state solution, urgently.
- International recognition
Another sensitive point demonstrated by recent events is that living in a secure country with well-protected borders, like TRNC, is far more important diplomatically than being recognized. The state of Palestine, currently ignored and under Israel's de facto occupation, is officially recognized by 139 UN member countries.
Furthermore, Palestine is a full member of many international organizations, including the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), G77, International Olympic Committee, International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), International Basketball Federation (FIBA), UNESCO and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), with observer status at the UN.
Today, the human tragedy in Gaza once again shows that the resilient Turkish Cypriot people, who never succumbed to Greek sovereignty even in the toughest conditions, never questioned Türkiye's guarantorship.
The people of Cyprus, who successfully overcame many trials to build their state, are conscious that security is the most vital element of life.
President Ersin Tatar's "two-state solution vision," victorious in the 2020 elections, is a response, a rebellion against the geopolitical realities and dangers of the chaotic period in the region.
The Turkish Cypriot people, who successfully overcame many trials to build their state, will protect these sacred lands, passed down from our ancestors who always adhered to the idea of freedom and independence, with the effective and actual guarantorship of our homeland Türkiye, and will never allow future generations to be tested by genocide once again. If the real aim of Western states, especially the US, in the region is peace, stability, and sustainable peace, then the cooperation proposals put forward by the Turkish side and the new policy based on good neighborly relations between the two existing states on the island should be sincerely evaluated.
UN Secretary-General's Report S/5950 dated Sept. 10, 1964, paragraph 190, and UN Secretary-General's Report S/7350 submitted to the Security Council on June 10, 1966.
*Opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Anadolu.