Türkiye's first lady Emine Erdogan engage in telephone diplomacy for Gaza

By Burcu Calik

Türkiye's first lady Emine Erdogan had telephone conservations Thursday with Queen Rania of Jordan and Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the mother of the Emir of Qatar, and they agreed to increase cooperation and solidarity in response to attacks in Gaza.

Erdogan emphasized the catastrophic nature of one of the most devastating tragedies in the history of Palestine in her conversation with Queen Rania.

She pointed out that innocent civilians were killed because of Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip, with the majority being women and children.

Erdogan said it is unthinkable to remain silent and indifferent and highlighted significant efforts made by Türkiye, Jordan and Qatar to achieve an immediate cease-fire and send humanitarian aid to the region.

She emphasized the need for Muslim countries to increase cooperation and solidarity for Palestinians.

The first lady conveyed that as spouses of regional and Muslim country leaders, the trio need to strongly voice concerns about the massacre in Palestine and unite in the common pain they feel, making their voices stronger and more resounding.

Erdogan again drew attention to the tragedy faced by innocent civilians in Gaza in her talk with Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.

She emphasized the need not to remain silent and to increase cooperation and solidarity, underlining the importance of humanitarian aid and calls for a cease-fire from the leaders of the region and Muslim countries.

There was an agreement in the conversations to raise a stronger voice, increase cooperation and solidarity in response to the events in Palestine, and a consensus to come together as soon as possible on this issue.

Queen Rania and Sheikha Moza conveyed messages of support for Türkiye's efforts in this regard.

It was previously reported to Palestinian authorities that under the patronage of Erdogan, Türkiye is willing to bring injured children or those left orphaned by Israel's attacks in Gaza to Türkiye for medical treatment and to provide protection and care until the attacks stop.

Children who were war victims in Ukraine were also taken to Türkiye under the patronage of Erdogan and placed under protection.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul