ISTANBUL, November 6, 2026 (WAFA) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated today that colonist terrorism in the West Bank aims to forcibly displace Palestinians from the lands they have inhabited for centuries, noting that these increasingly brazen assaults are unfolding under the watchful eyes of the international community.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 10th edition of the TRT World Forum in Istanbul on Friday, Erdoğan highlighted that more than 3,000 attacks and violations against Palestinians were documented in the West Bank during October alone.
He recalled an incident from two weeks ago where an international delegation of lawmakers, academics, and politicians was barred from entering the West Bank.
He also drew attention to the case of American photojournalist Heidi Levine, who was brutally assaulted by colonists on October 16 while covering the olive harvest in the village of Abu Falah, east of Ramallah, leaving her with severe injuries.
Erdoğan remarked that global institutions tasked with establishing peace, security, and stability "are merely watching events in Gaza from the sidelines". He emphasized that Türkiye is exerting every effort and dedicating its resources to building a more just and free world.
"Over the past year alone, 1,500 of our brothers and sisters have lost their lives, and nearly 5,500 Palestinians have been wounded in these attacks," Erdoğan stated. He pointed out that the inhabitants of Gaza, which has been reduced to rubble, continue to fight for survival amidst ruined homes and debris, compounded by critical shortages of fuel and hospital equipment alongside the continuous obstruction of humanitarian aid.
Furthermore, Erdoğan addressed the killing of more than 270 journalists during the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, describing this figure as highly conspicuous and shameful.
He asserted that the majority of these journalists were deliberately and directly targeted by Israeli forces. He concluded by criticizing certain organizations that claim independence yet continue to grant Israel preferential treatment in their press freedom reports.
T.R.
