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"Whoever remains silent in the face of the genocide in Gaza is complicit in the crimes against humanity committed by Israel"

Presidency Of The Republic Of Turkey

22.07.2025

Speaking at the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025), President Erdoğan said: "Even the Holocaust in Europe did not witness scenes as inhumane as the ones in Gaza. No one with even a shred of human dignity can accept or ignore the cruelty in which dozens of innocent people die every day for lack of a morsel of bread or a sip of water, or can condone it. Whoever remains silent in the face of the genocide in Gaza is complicit in the crimes against humanity committed by Israel."

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a speech at the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) in Istanbul.

"THE RULES-BASED INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM IS BEING REPLACED BY A NEW ORDER BASED ON THE SURVIVAL OF THE STRONGEST"

President Erdoğan said: We are going through a period in which power balances are being redefined, global centers of gravity are shifting, and international competition is intensifying. As you are also following, we are waking up to yet another crisis every day. No one can foresee what will happen tomorrow. The rules-based international system, established following the World War II, is being replaced by a new order based on the survival of the strongest. An approach whereby might makes right is being rapidly adopted. International mechanisms for seeking justice, on the other hand, are incapable of fulfilling their responsibilities."

President Erdoğan stated: "Given its geographical location as well as its historical, humanitarian and cultural connections, Türkiye is one of the top countries to feel the impacts of the new status-quo. The genocide escalating in Gaza for 22 months, Israel's attacks aimed at destabilizing our geography, the war raging between Russia and Ukraine for over 3.5 years, the hot tensions unfolding across a vast region from South Asia to the North Africa to the Balkans to the South Caucasus - all of these concern us in one way or another, necessitating us to take measures."

President Erdoğan continued: "The suffering of children in Gaza, who have been reduced to skin and bones because humanitarian aid materials are not allowed to enter, is our suffering. The attacks on Syria, where the hopes were rekindled with the December 8 revolution following 13.5 years of oppression, are our problem. Hot conflicts that endanger security in the Black Sea are a significant source of concern for us. From Libya to Sudan to Pakistan to Afghanistan, wherever there is a problem, a conflict, or stability, they are all sensitive issues that call for our country's close attention."

"WE HAVE STEPPED UP OUR DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENTS TO STOP THE ATROCITIES IN GAZA"

"Turkish foreign policy is built on the principles of peace, justice, international law, respect for sovereignty, equity, and solidarity. We never seek influence or domination, nor do we ever intend to interfere in anyone's internal affairs. We, from the bottom of our heart, wish peace, calm and solidarity in our region. While harboring such a wish, we, for sure, never shy away from doing what is necessary to make it come true, either. Whenever we witness injustice, lawlessness or oppression, we, in an appropriate manner, show our stance and opposition. Accordingly, we continue to keep Israel's genocide against the people of Gaza, which far surpasses that of the Nazis, on the agenda of all humanity," President Erdoğan stressed.

"Along with our humanitarian aid, we have also stepped up our diplomatic engagements to stop the atrocities in Gaza," President Erdoğan noted. "Our aim is the establishment of a ceasefire as soon as possible. Ensuring the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza is another priority for us. There is unfortunately a really dreadful situation in which even the Red Cross is denied entry. As I have already said, Netanyahu and his network of murder have far surpassed Hitler in barbarity. Even the Holocaust in Europe did not witness scenes as inhumane as the ones in Gaza. No one with even a shred of human dignity can accept or ignore the cruelty in which dozens of innocent people die every day for lack of a morsel of bread or a sip of water, or can condone it. Whoever remains silent in the face of the genocide in Gaza is complicit in the crimes against humanity committed by Israel."

"TÜRKİYE HAS NOW REACHED A POSITION WHERE IT LEAVES ITS MARK ON GLOBAL MARKETS WITH ITS DEFENSE INDUSTRY PRODUCTS"

President Erdoğan said: "Türkiye is a country that encountered major challenges in defense in its near history. We experienced the implications of external dependence many times. Unfortunately, we couldn't receive enough support from the friendly and allied countries during the Cyprus incidents in the 1960s and during our fight against terror in the 1990s. Embargoes reached a peak, so-to-speak, following Cyprus Peace Operation, which we carried out in 1974 to defend the rights of the Turkish Cypriots. We faced the same treachery in the tensions we experienced with the Assad regime. Our endeavors to strengthen our air defense capabilities always fell on deaf ears. So much so that during days when our airspace was being violated, air defense systems in our country were dismantled and taken away."

President Erdoğan continued: "Once subjected to embargoes, double standards, and diplomatic pressure, Türkiye has now reached a position where it leaves its mark on global markets with its defense industry products. We said we would paddle our own canoe. Accordingly, we, mobilizing our own resources, have covered significant distance in this direction in a short span of time. Against this backdrop, we have pursued a humanitarian and proactive foreign policy on the one hand, and have stepped up our defense and security investments on the other hand. From design to mass production, R&D to innovation, we have elevated the Turkish defense industry to an upper league. We have significantly decreased external dependence, which was once our main problem. We have increased the share of local production in defense industry from 20 percent when we first came to power to over 80 percent today."

"We meet almost all the needs of our security units with our own resources in the most effective manner," President Erdoğan stressed. "Our national products play an effective role in our security forces' fight against terror as well as our operations both at home and abroad. We are among the top three countries in the world in UAVs and UCAVs. Last year, 65 out of every 100 UAVs sold worldwide were supplied by Turkish companies. The game-changing nature of our UCAVs is attracting attention globally, causing a shift in traditional tactics and strategies."

President Erdoğan added: "Türkiye is also one of the only ten countries capable of designing, developing and making its own warship. Our main contractors, subcontractors, SMEs, research institutions and universities are further enriching our exports with the unique products they develop. I take great pride in noting that Türkiye has now become the 11th biggest defense exporter in the world. Our UAVs, national vessel projects, electronic systems, land vehicles, weapons and ammunition are highly appreciated and demanded. Exporting products to 180 countries, our defense industry companies achieved a great success last year."