In his historic speech at the UN General Assembly, President Erdoğan called for "Put pressure on Israel" against state terrorism in Gaza and addressed the world with poet Sezai Karakoç's lines "IF WE ARE SILENT, HISTORY WILL NOT BE SILENT".
President Erdoğan, who reacted harshly to the global system, the double standards of international law and the humanitarian drama in Gaza in his speech, stated that they will continue to defend the rights of the oppressed and said, "We will suffer if necessary, we will pay the price if necessary, but we will not remain silent in the face of injustice, we will never consent to oppression. As Tayyip Erdoğan, as the President of a great nation, I will continue to defend the rights of the oppressed and be their voice from this podium as long as my Lord gives me life." he said.
While the US-based newspaper The National Herald gave extensive coverage to President Erdoğan's speech, it was reported that Erdoğan described Gaza as "the world's largest children's cemetery" and drew attention to the child amputation rates in the region. The newspaper also wrote that Erdogan stated that Turkey is in favor of resolving the disputes in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean on the basis of good neighborly relations and international law, and reiterated his proposal to organize an Eastern Mediterranean conference with the participation of the countries in the region.
Saudi Arabia-based Sharqul Avsat newspaper also wrote that Erdogan, in his speech, called for the immediate start of the reconstruction of Gaza and increased international pressure on Israel. While Erdoğan's call to countries that have not yet recognized the Palestinian state was highlighted in the news, it was stated that, according to UN data, 84 percent of the structures in Gaza were damaged or destroyed by October 2025 and that the recovery and reconstruction need of the region in the next 10 years is estimated to be 71.4 billion dollars.
"Türkiye IS AN INDISPENSABLE REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ACTOR"
Al Jazeera, on the other hand, gave extensive coverage to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's condemnation of Israeli actions in Gaza in his speech at the UN General Assembly. The news reported that the Israeli delegation left the hall during Erdogan's statements regarding Gaza. Speaking to Al Jazeera, former UN official Salman Shaikh said, "What was important in Erdogan's speech was the idea that we cannot allow what is happening in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to become a normalized situation," adding that Türkiye is "an indispensable regional and international actor."
Israel-based Yedioth Ahronot newspaper wrote that President Erdogan repeated his criticism of Gaza in his speech at the UN General Assembly and called on countries that have not yet recognized the Palestinian state. The news reported that Erdoğan described Gaza as "the world's largest children's cemetery", that he wanted to increase international pressure on Israel, and that members of the Israeli delegation left the hall in protest as the speech started.
The newspaper stated that, according to UN data, 84 percent of all structures in Gaza were damaged or destroyed by October 2025. Sharqul Avsat drew attention to Erdogan's call to countries that do not recognize Palestine and stated that Gaza needs a recovery and reconstruction expenditure of 71.4 billion dollars in the next ten years.
Proto Thema, based in Greece, highlighted Erdogan's statements regarding the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean and the Cyprus issue. The newspaper wrote that Erdogan reiterated his consistent stance on resolving disputes on the basis of good neighborly relations and international law and called for the international recognition of the TRNC.
The Greek newspaper stated that Erdogan brought the Eastern Mediterranean Conference proposal back to the agenda and argued that such an initiative could contribute to the creation of a "common ground of understanding". It was noted that Erdoğan re-established the position of "sovereign equality" on the Cyprus issue. The news also included Erdogan's message to Europe and his call for reform in the UN Security Council.
Greece's Topontiki newspaper included Erdoğan's messages regarding the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean in his speech, and conveyed his criticism of the UN Security Council for failing to fulfill its peacekeeping duty and his call for reform. The news stated that Erdogan invited the international community to recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and accept the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people. The newspaper also included Erdogan's statements that Turkey should not be left out of Europe's security architecture and that he wants relations with the European Union to be shaped on the basis of a strategic vision.
