Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, highlighted Israel's failure to achieve its goals after nine months of conflict in Gaza. Barghouti emphasized the resilience and resistance of the Palestinian people as key factors in preventing Israeli control over Gaza. He called for the formation of a Palestinian national consensus government to unify Gaza and the West Bank, and to end reliance on the Palestinian Authority.
Barghouti pointed out that Gaza has garnered international attention, making the Palestinian issue a significant part of internal policies in various countries. He stressed the importance of preserving the role of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and including all factions within it to ensure a unified national leadership.
In parallel, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced his intention to bring the Gaza conflict to the forefront at the NATO summit in Washington. Erdogan criticized the international community for failing to stop Israel and called for a just and lasting peace in Palestine. He also mentioned ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Doha involving Mossad, the CIA, and Qatari officials.
Relations between Turkey and Israel have deteriorated since the Hamas attack on Israel, leading to verbal confrontations between leaders of both nations. Erdogan has compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Hitler, while Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz labeled Erdogan as a 'tyrant, agitator, and liar.'
Erdogan faces isolation in the West, with 142 US representatives urging President Biden to take action against the Turkish government due to human rights violations. Despite Turkey's economic crisis and need for Western investment, Erdogan has signed an agreement with Chinese electric car manufacturer BYD to produce vehicles in Turkey.
- Barghouti's interview with Al Jazeera Net shed light on the destructive impact of the conflict, noting the high number of casualties and extensive damage to Gaza's infrastructure. He condemned Israel's actions as war crimes and stressed the need for international isolation of Israel.
- Erdogan's efforts to highlight the Gaza conflict at the NATO summit reflect Turkey's stance on the issue and its desire to hold Israel accountable. The ongoing ceasefire talks in Doha are crucial for achieving peace and stability in the region.
- The strained relations between Turkey and Israel underscore the broader geopolitical tensions and the challenges in achieving a peaceful resolution. Erdogan's criticism of Israel and his support for Hamas have further complicated diplomatic relations.
- The economic implications of the conflict are significant, with Israel facing a potential collapse of key sectors and Turkey seeking investments to alleviate its economic crisis. The agreement with BYD indicates Turkey's pivot towards China amidst Western isolation.
