Stop being a hypocrite

The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) General Assembly convened an extraordinary session, chaired by TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, to discuss Israel's attack on Gaza, its genocide and oppression against the Palestinian people, its famine policies, and the current situation in the region. The first to attend the General Assembly was Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, who declared, "There is nothing left to discuss regarding the Gaza tragedy; there is no need for an extraordinary parliamentary session." Following Bahçeli, İYİ Party Chairman Musavat Dervişoğlu entered the TBMM General Assembly hall.

The third leader to enter the Parliamentary General Assembly Hall was CHP leader Özgür Özel . Following the roll call, the extraordinary session opened with a speech by Parliamentary Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş. Deputy DEM Party Group Chair Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit spoke on behalf of the DEM Party. Koçyiğit emphasized that Palestine was one of the first regions where agriculture was first established, and that today, the Palestinian people are condemned to starvation.

Koçyiğit, noting that Türkiye's response to Israel was inadequate, commented, "We absolutely do not approve of the ongoing trade with Israel in certain areas." The speech that left its mark on the meeting was delivered by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel.

Özel stated that “CHP defends the Palestinian cause with historical consistency.” Özel, noting that the CHP is constantly keeping the Palestinian issue on the international agenda, explained: “Israel has two plans. The first is to completely evacuate Gaza and sever the connection between East Jerusalem and the West Bank. The goal is to completely eliminate any hope of an independent Palestinian state. The US administration's unconditional support emboldens Israel. The region's and the world's failure to act as a deterrent encourages Israel to engage in this recklessness. The efforts of those governing the Islamic world are either inadequate or they side with Israel. Turkey's word, however, must carry power; this is what is expected of us. The masks behind those who engage in rowboat fights with Netanyahu in cool halls, those who criticize Netanyahu but cannot criticize his supporter, Trump, have fallen. We have demanded the cessation of trade with Israel since October 8, 2023. Trade with Israel has continued through third parties, and we have documented this. It is plainly obvious that the detention of young people who protest the continuation of trade is a form of guilt.”