Turkey Joins Global Call Urging Hamas to Disarm, Supports Two-State Solution in UN Declaration
Israel-Gaza Conflict
At a United Nations conference in New York, Turkey, along with 17 countries, the European Union, and the Arab League, signed a joint declaration calling on Hamas to lay down arms and end its control over Gaza. The seven-page document also reaffirmed support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Declaration Urges Hamas to Disarm and Transfer Control to Palestinian Authority
According to DW Türkçe, the declaration emphasizes that Hamas must surrender its weapons to the Palestinian Authority as part of broader efforts to end the war in Gaza. The move, it stated, should be taken with international backing and within the framework of establishing a sovereign, independent Palestinian state.
The document explicitly condemned Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, marking a rare moment of unity among nations with historically divergent stances.
Signatories Span Across Continents
The declaration was signed by a diverse coalition, including:
Turkey, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Norway, and Senegal.
It also received endorsement from both the European Union and the Arab League.
Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yılmaz represented Turkey at the conference.
France: “Historic and Unprecedented Step”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who co-chaired the event alongside Saudi Arabia, described the agreement as “historic and unprecedented.”
“For the first time, Arab and Middle Eastern countries are condemning Hamas and the October 7 attack. They are calling on Hamas to disarm and step down while openly expressing intentions to normalize relations with Israel,” Barrot stated.
The declaration also raised the possibility of deploying foreign forces to Gaza after hostilities cease, a proposal reflecting the international community’s desire for long-term regional stability.
Israel and U.S. Boycott UN Conference
Neither Israel nor the United States attended the conference.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected a two-state solution, citing national security and ideological reasons.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce condemned the gathering as “an insult,” stating:
“The United States will not take part in this insult but will continue to lead real-world efforts to end the conflict and bring lasting peace.”