Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on Sept. 22, 2025. He urged "all world leaders to stand firmly with oppressed Palestinians today in the name of humanity." In his speech, Erdogan drew global attention to Israel's actions in Gaza, presenting photographs captured by Anadolu as evidence of Israel's ongoing genocide. He said, "Here, I sincerely appeal to all heads of state and government. Today is the day. Today is the day to stand upright by the oppressed Palestinians in the name of humanity. While your people react against the barbarism in Gaza, have the courage to follow through." (PHOTO: Türkiye Government)
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Türkiye urged “all world leaders to stand firmly with oppressed Palestinians today in the name of humanity.” He voiced regret at the absence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at a time when Palestine is being recognized by an increasing number of countries, at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 22, 2025.
“I call on all the other countries who have not done so yet to recognize the State of Palestine as soon as possible,” he said. President Erdoğan warned that grave events unfolding worldwide, particularly in Gaza, were casting “a shadow” over the UN Charter’s opening article: to maintain international peace and security.
“Right before our very eyes genocide has been going on for over 700 days now and as we speak, Israel is currently massacring civilians in Gaza,” he said. Over 65,000 people have been killed, including over 20,000 children, he observed, adding: “For the last 23 months, a child has been murdered by Israel in Gaza every hour. Yes, every hour.”
Painting a grim picture of conditions in Gaza marked by starvation, the collapse of healthcare infrastructure, destruction of schools and hospitals, targeting of journalists and humanitarian workers, with children undergoing amputations without anaesthesia, he stated: “This represents the lowest point of humanity. Human history has not witnessed such bloodshed within the last century.”
He said “there is no war in Gaza,” as one cannot talk about the presence of two sides, when one side is represented by a regular army with the most modern weapons and the other is represented by innocent civilians and children. “This is not fight against terrorism. This is an occupation, deportation, exile, genocide and life destruction,” he asserted.
Noting that Israel is not limiting itself to Gaza and the West Bank, but also launching attacks on Syria, Iran, Yemen and Lebanon, he underscored: “The attack on Qatar has also shown that the Israeli leadership is now completely out of control.”
He said “we cannot continue with this madness anymore,” calling for an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access and accountability under international law. “Everyone who is keeping silent is an accomplice to this barbarity,” he emphasized. He urged world leaders to have the courage to fulfil their humanitarian duty towards Gaza “where children are raising children”.
Turning to regional issues, President Erdoğan voiced support for a political resolution in Syria, welcoming the “8 December revolution” as a step towards “a unified Syria with no forms of terrorism.”
President Erdoğan expressed hope that the nuclear issue with Iran would be resolved through diplomacy as soon as possible, adding: “It should not be forgotten that our region cannot tolerate yet another crisis.” Stressing the importance of Iraq’s stability for regional well-being, he also underlined Türkiye’s role in facilitating dialogue between Russia and Ukraine under the Istanbul process, noting: “Do not forget there is no winner of war and no losers of a just peace.”
He welcomed steps towards peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, commended progress under the Ankara process and reiterated his call for international recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, declaring: “There are two separate States and two separate peoples on the island of Cyprus. The international community must put an end to the unfair and inhumane isolation that the Turkish Cypriots have been subjected to for half a century now.”
Reaffirming support for the Secretary-General’s UN80 Initiative, President Erdoğan concluded with a call for reform of the Security Council: “We will continue to say the world is bigger than five until a system is established where the righteous are powerful, not the powerful are righteous. Our duty is not to abandon the system, but rather to repair it and to make it work again. Without a doubt, a more just and fairer world is possible. Türkiye will patiently continue its fight for the construction of a more just world.”
Following is full text of President Erdoğan’s speech at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 22, 2025.
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First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to France and Saudi Arabia, who are co-chairing this conference. I congratulate all the countries that have decided to recognize the State of Palestine, for honoring the voice of justice and of conscience.
I hope that this step, along with the initiatives to be undertaken in the coming period, will accelerate the implementation of a two-state solution. In our region, an unprecedented catastrophe has been unfolding for nearly two years, under the Israeli government’s heavy and inhumane attacks.
The massacre and brutality in Gaza continues with all its intensity.
Since October the 7th, over 65.000 Palestinians – mostly women and children – have lost their lives, and more than 165.000 of our brothers and sisters have been injured. For two years now, on a daily basis, we have been witnessing in today’s modern world, countless scenes of evil, that would make humanity ashamed of being human.
Those heartbreaking photographs of innocent children, their bellies glued to their backs, starving and skinned, those photos will never be erased from our memories.
Noone with a conscience can possibly accept what is happening; moreover, noone can remain silent in the face of such a genocide.
The Netanyahu Government’s goal is to make the establishment of a Palestinian State impossible, and to force the Palestinian people to emigrate, as much as possible. In the midst of these negative developments, of a group of countries, among them members of the UN Security Council, have taken the decision to recognize the State of Palestine, this is an extremely significant and historic step.
We wholeheartedly wish we could see Palestinian President Mr Abbas be able to speak in this conference today.
Nevertheless, I find it extremely valuable that all the participants speaking today, are also serving as the voice of the Palestinian people.
I would like to thank all my friends, who have shown solidarity with the Palestinian people, during these difficult times. It is also a fact that today, the Palestinian cause has become a global issue.
In Europe, in Asia, the Americas, and Africa, we are witnessing people chanting “Free Palestine” on the streets, on social media, and in the press, more than ever before. This contradiction should not escape anyone’s attention, including my friends here.
The Netanyahu Government governs a society who, in the past, was targeted for eradication with the persecutions of the Holocaust, and today, his Govt. is committing genocide against its neighbors with whom it has shared the same land, the same water, air and sea, for thousands of years.
In Gaza, it is not only children, women, and civilians being targeted; also, water, land, and even trees are being destroyed by this fanatic mentality. Standing up against this oppression is not only a legal duty of the international community, but also a moral responsibility.
The international community must stop expansionism in the West Bank, also the fait-accompli in East Jerusalem, and the attempts to spread instability in the region.
Otherwise, we cannot possibly talk about the presence of an international order, or talk about defending universal values.
The goal of deepening occupation and annexation policies is clear: The goal is to kill the vision of a two-state solution; to leave no ground for the State of Palestine to survive; to exile the Palestinian people, and to implement their expansionist ambitions by fueling instability in the region. This cannot be allowed.
At this conference today, I hope that the countries that have shown the courage to recognize the State of Palestine will follow through on this historic stance with determined, concrete, and deterrent steps.
It is now necessary to declare a ceasefire, ensure unhindered access to humanitarian aid to Gaza, and for Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza. Gaza is an inseparable part of Palestine, and belongs to the Palestinian people. Palestinians will also determine how they will govern their own land.
The solidarity shown today by recognizing the State of Palestine, will for sure, strengthen the people of Palestine and their just cause. The time has now come for Palestine to gain full membership in the United Nations. It is important to increase Palestine’s institutional capacity, strengthen financial and technical support, and continue the activities of humanitarian aid organizations such as UNRWA. (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East).
Türkiye will continue its fight with determination until a geographically unified State of Palestine comes into being, based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. We will stand on the side of justice, righteousness, and humanity.
I once again congratulate for their courageous decision, all the countries who have decided to recognize the State of Palestine. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the organizing of this conference, especially Saudi Arabia and France. From here, I send my warmest greetings to all my Palestinian brothers and sisters, particularly the oppressed people of Gaza.★
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