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CHP Leader Özgür Özel Calls for Extraordinary Parliamentary Session on Gaza

özgür özel

Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel announced that his party will formally call for an extraordinary session of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) to address Israel’s ongoing military actions and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

Speaking to journalists after Friday prayers at the historic Divriği Great Mosque in Sivas, Özel said the CHP will consult with other political parties over the coming days and submit the official request on Monday.

“The Parliament must sit, debate this matter in full, and decide together how Turkey will stand by Palestine,” Özel stressed.

Criticism of Government Silence

Özel sharply criticized the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for what he described as a lack of adequate response to Israel’s actions in Gaza.

“It is not enough to say a few words to Netanyahu. The plan is already being implemented, and Trump gave them the green light. Without objecting directly to Trump, this cannot be stopped,” Özel said.

According to the CHP leader, the government’s silence amounts to tacit approval: “The Republic of Turkey cannot remain silent in the face of famine, displacement, and genocide in Gaza.”

“A Horrific Plan for Gaza”

Referring to recent developments on the ground, Özel accused Israel of pursuing a policy of forced displacement:

  • He said Palestinians are being pushed southward out of Gaza.

  • He highlighted settlement projects between East Jerusalem and Gaza, which he claimed aim to sever the geographical link necessary for a sovereign Palestinian state as envisioned by the 1967 UN resolutions.

  • He described the situation as part of a broader effort to empty Gaza and the West Bank of Palestinians, comparing it to Donald Trump’s so-called “deal of the century.”

“This is a horrific plan—removing Palestinians, clearing Gaza, and turning it into a land of casinos and hotels,” Özel remarked.

UN Declares Famine in Gaza

Özel also referenced the United Nations’ recent famine declaration in Gaza, which warned that more than 500,000 people are facing catastrophic hunger.

“There is such a blockade that children are dying of hunger, and people queuing for food and water are being shot. The UN has declared famine, yet Israel continues to push ahead,” he said, condemning what he called acts of “madness” targeting civilians.

Reaching Out to Other Parties

Özel emphasized that the CHP’s move is not only a party initiative but also an attempt to build a broad political consensus in Parliament.

He said the CHP group leaders will reach out to:

  • Other opposition parties

  • The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP)

  • The ruling AKP (to avoid excluding them from the process)

“We want to make this call with the largest number of signatures possible. This issue is above politics—it is about Turkey’s stance on genocide, famine, and displacement in Gaza,” Özel stated.

He recalled that opposition parties had previously organized a rally in Üsküdar in solidarity with Palestine, stressing the need for joint action again.

Parliament’s Role and Responsibility

Under current parliamentary rules, three mechanisms can trigger an extraordinary session:

  1. The Parliament Speaker

  2. The AKP group, which has enough seats to make the call alone

  3. A request signed by 120 MPs, which the CHP already possesses

Since neither the Speaker nor the AKP have taken steps to recall Parliament, the CHP will proceed with its own initiative.

“We will finalize consultations in the coming days and on Monday submit our application to the Speaker. The Parliament should not close again until it has taken concrete steps on this matter,” Özel declared.

A Call for National Consensus on Palestine

Özel framed the issue as one of national responsibility: “At this moment, in every mosque in Turkey, prayers are being said for Palestinian children. Our Parliament must reflect this conscience.”

He concluded by urging unity: “The TBMM is the highest authority of this nation. It must not remain idle while famine, genocide, and forced displacement unfold in Gaza.”

A Test of Turkey’s Stance

The CHP’s move places pressure on the government to take a stronger stance on Gaza at a time when the humanitarian crisis has reached unprecedented levels. Whether Parliament will reconvene and issue a unified response remains to be seen, but Özel has made it clear: inaction is no longer acceptable.

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