ADDS MORE STATEMENTS BY TURKISH PRESIDENT, BACKGROUND ON ISRAELI OFFENSIVE ON LEBANON
By Zehra Nur Celik
ANKARA (AA) — The Ankara terrorist attack has only deepened Türkiye's resolve and unwavering commitment to wiping out terrorism, the Turkish president said on Thursday.
“This vile attack has further strengthened Türkiye's determination and resolve to eliminate terrorism,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during his BRICS summit speech in Russia.
Erdogan thanked all “friends” for their condolences and solidarity after Wednesday’s terrorist attack in Ankara.
At least five people were killed and 22 injured in the terrorist attack on the headquarters of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) in the capital Ankara.
Touching on Israeli attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, Erdogan said: “As long as bloodshed in the Middle East is not stopped, there can be no talk of justice, peace, or development for the future.”
“The aggressive stance Israel has maintained at the expense of igniting the entire region, has long surpassed every boundary, especially law and conscience,” said Erdogan.
“The Palestinian people are facing genocide in Gaza. By attacking Lebanon, Israel has escalated the atrocities even further,” Erdogan noted.
“The establishment of an independent, sovereign and geographically contiguous Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital on the basis of the 1967 borders is essential for lasting and just peace in the region,” he stressed.
Erdogan urged all countries that do not recognize Palestine to take steps in this direction.
“The continued unconditional arms and ammunition support to Israel makes it even more reckless in its attacks. ,” he lamented.
"We have launched an initiative at the UN to halt arms sales to Israel,” Erdogan said, adding: "I trust in support you, BRICS member countries, will provide on this matter.”
“Global order of justice and development can only be achieved by establishing peace and security beyond our borders,” said Erdogan.
The Israeli army has continued a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last October, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.
Nearly 42,800 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 100,400 others injured, according to local health authorities.
The Israeli onslaught on Gaza has displaced almost the entire population of the enclave amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.
Israel has mounted a huge air campaign in Lebanon since last month against what it says are Hezbollah targets in an escalation from a year of cross-border warfare between Israel and the group since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive on Gaza.
At least 2,574 people have been killed and more than 12,000 injured in Israeli attacks since October last year, according to Lebanese health authorities.
Israel expanded the conflict on Oct. 1 this year by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon.
Erdogan also stressed that as socioeconomic vulnerabilities deepen and power balances shift, political and financial mechanisms that emerged after World War II are failing to fulfill their expected roles.
“We believe that BRICS has made unparalleled contributions to building a fairer global order by serving the development of global trade, economic growth, and sustainable development goals,” he noted.
“As Türkiye, we are determined to advance our dialogue with the BRICS family, with whom we have developed close relations based on mutual respect and win-win principles,” the president added.