Support for the Palestinian Cause: Statements of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel
Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel, who attended a ceremony held at Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, made important statements to journalists there. Özel emphasized young activist Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi’s commitment to the Palestinian cause and said, “Ayşenur is the Deniz Gezmiş of this time and age. Eygi, who has a left-wing socialist view, wholeheartedly stands behind the Palestinian cause, like all leftists and social democrats.” he said
Stating that the Palestine issue is not just a group’s problem, but the whole of Turkey’s problem, Özel continued his words as follows:
- “The relationship that Bülent Ecevit formed with Yasser Arafat in the 1970s shapes the relationship I established with Mahmud Abbas.”
- “The attitude put forward by Deniz Gezmiş and his friends affects leftist students and socialist groups in Turkey and around the world.”
- “The Palestine cause is the cause of all of Turkey, but especially the cause of the left.”
Özel stated that just as they stood by Palestine in the 1970s, today they should defend the Palestinian cause by staying away from all kinds of domestic political concerns. “This is the responsibility of leftists and social democrats.” He stated that Eygi’s life sets an example for this struggle.
Criticizing Israel’s attacks against Palestine, Özel stated that Israel, which considered this situation as retaliation, was actually committing genocide. Özel said, “Our duty is to condemn Israel’s atrocities and state terrorism without buts and buts.” he said and continued as follows:
- “This process, which started as a retaliation for the attacks carried out by Hamas in November, and Netanyahu’s attribution of this situation to all Jews, is the exploitation of a historical grievance.”
- “This situation does not contribute positively to Jews, Muslims, or human values in the world.”
Özel stated that these actions that threaten world peace are unacceptable and said, “While many countries take a very harsh and meticulous stance against Russia’s attacks on Ukraine, they prefer to speak in soft words when it comes to Israel’s actions against Palestine.” he said .
Özgür Özel, as CHP and a left social democratic party representing Turkey on the international platform, says, “Stay on the right side of your friends and enemies, stand with Palestine and stop Israel.” He repeated his call.
