Scandal During Erdoğan's Speech

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed hope that the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel will be permanent. He emphasized the need for a rapid ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as well. He made these statements during the TRT-World media forum in Istanbul.

“We want the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon to be permanent. A quick ceasefire must also be ensured in Gaza, so long as there are no more orphans there,” he stated, highlighting that Turkey has always advocated for the swift peaceful resolution of the Palestine-Israel conflict. “We are ready to provide full support to stop the genocide in Gaza and pave the way for lasting peace,” Erdoğan stressed.

During Erdoğan's speech, a member of the audience loudly yelled that Israel continues to trade with Turkey using its ports. “Don’t speak here in the language of Zionists,” Erdoğan replied from the podium. Erdoğan's security forces swiftly removed the man from the auditorium.

Since the outbreak of military actions in October 2023, the first ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon came into effect on the morning of November 27. U.S. President Joe Biden announced that the agreements reached between the Jewish state and the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah involve the restoration of control over the republic’s territory by the Lebanese army and state security forces within 60 days. After that, the Israeli army will gradually withdraw from Lebanon.