By Mehmet Yusuf Melikoglu
ISTANBUL (AA) – The “Palestinian problem” has been discussed for years, but the real problem is the “Israeli issue,” Turkish Communications Director Fahrettin Altun said Sunday.
“Today, we are here to proclaim the true name of this problem to the world, which for years has been referred to as 'the Palestinian issue.' The name of this problem is 'the Israeli issue," Altun said at the TRT World Citizen Humanitarian Film Festival in Istanbul.
He added that "not only the Middle East, not only our region, but the whole world is facing this issue."
"As long as the Israeli problem is ignored, this historically growing crisis will continue to escalate and threaten humanity further,” he said.
Regarding numbers and statistics shared by international organizations, he said: "What spurs us to address humanitarian crises isn't merely the reduction of tragedies to statistics or categories but rather the capacity to empathize with the suffering and lives of each individual affected."
He added that Türkiye has become one of the first countries to take responsibility and send aid to the region with concrete offers such as assuming the role of guarantor for a cease-fire.
While Western countries are trying to legitimize the attacks of Israel, which has clearly “committed war crimes,” Türkiye has stood against the systematic oppression carried out by Israel in Gaza and other parts of Palestine.
"With the unity of the state and nation, Türkiye is against this oppression and stands with the oppressed,” he said, adding his country is in favor of always giving priority to the humanitarian approach in solving global and regional problems and keeping diplomatic channels open.
Altun said the TRT World Citizen Humanitarian Film Festival has a unique ability to shed light on global problems and humanitarian crises through the lens of cinema.
He concluded his speech by expressing hope that the festival, as an initiative, would contribute to global peace, prosperity, justice and stability and bring together filmmakers and storytellers to increase its impact in addressing the world's most pressing humanitarian issues.
Last week, the Israeli army expanded its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise offensive on Oct. 7.
The number of Palestinians killed in Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip has risen to 9,770, the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave announced Sunday.
“The death toll as a result of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7 is 9,770, including 4,800 children and 2,550 women,” the ministry said in a statement.
*Writing by Gozde Bayar