ANKARA (UNA/Anadolu Agency) – Türkiye affirmed its unwavering support for the Palestinian people in their just struggle and its firm support for efforts aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of international law.
This came in a written statement issued by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday regarding the ruling issued by the International Court of Justice, which called on Israel to facilitate the agency's work amid the catastrophic humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
The statement explained that the International Court of Justice's opinion clearly reveals Israel's continued failure to fulfill its international obligations, its ongoing crimes against the Palestinian people, and its obstruction of the delivery of humanitarian aid.
She added that the International Court of Justice's opinion confirms the illegality of the Israeli government's attempts to undermine the authority, activities, and presence of the United Nations and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the occupied territories.
The statement affirmed that Türkiye has contributed to the ongoing process at the International Court of Justice and will continue to stand by the Palestinian people in their just struggle.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry also affirmed its continued support for the effective implementation of international law and efforts to achieve justice.
Earlier, the International Court of Justice issued a non-binding legal advisory opinion on Israel's obligations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, at the request of the UN General Assembly in December 2024.
The court called on Israel to facilitate the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) amid the catastrophic humanitarian conditions in Gaza and to hold accountable those responsible for violations against its facilities and workers.
On October 28, 2024, the Israeli Knesset (parliament) approved, "finally and by a large majority," two laws prohibiting UNRWA from carrying out any activities within the Palestinian territories, withdrawing its privileges and facilities, and prohibiting any official contact with it.
Israel claims that UNRWA employees participated in the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, a claim the agency denies. The United Nations affirmed UNRWA's commitment to neutrality, its commitment to continuing its work, and its rejection of the Israeli ban.
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