Turkiye’s Communications Director, Fahrettin Altun, has sent a letter to the information ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), calling for solidarity with Palestine, the Communications Directorate said on Tuesday, Anadolu Agency reports.
In the letter written in his capacity as the Chairperson of the 12th Conference of Information Ministers of the OIC, Altun addressed the ongoing attacks and disinformation campaigns targeting Palestine.
Altun said Turkiye condemns Israel’s ongoing bombardment of the Gaza Strip, and called for an unconditional cease-fire to prevent further loss of life.
He said Turkiye supports the rights of the Palestinian people, and emphasised strong rejection of international media’s efforts to whitewash human rights violations related to Israeli attacks.
“The world cannot turn a blind eye to the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Palestine. It is of great importance to draw the attention of the international community to this issue.”
He said “Turkiye welcomes the efforts of the Islamic world in supporting the Palestinian cause and ending the barbaric cruelty against civilians.”
Resolve conflict for lasting peace
Altun recalled that Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, called for a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza, and that the recent attack on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital constituted a crime against humanity.
“Thousands of children have lost their lives, and the hopes of children for the future have been shattered due to the attacks.”
He said President Erdogan has long emphasised that there should be no further delay in establishing an independent Palestinian State with its capital in East Jerusalem, based on the 1967 borders.
“The only way to establish lasting peace in the Middle East is to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” the Turkish official asserted.
Islamophobia, disinformation
Altun stressed that efforts to combat disinformation are extremely important in raising awareness against atrocities and alleviating the suffering of civilians.
“We should acknowledge that the information environment is filled with false narratives that conceal violations of international law. In parallel with the recent conflict between Palestine and Israel, we are going through a period where racist attacks and hate speech against Muslims can become very widespread,” he said.
Unfortunately, in such times of conflict, Altun said Islamophobic feelings deliberately fuelled by disinformation can come to the forefront.
Source : MEMO