ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has written a letter to Pope Francis, stressing the urgency of upholding international law in Gaza.
The letter was delivered to Pope Francis by Ali Erbaş, head of Turkiye’s Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) during his visit to the Vatican on Saturday.
Erdogan highlighted the need to cease targeting essential civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, mosques, and churches, emphasizing that a just resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is crucial for lasting peace in the Middle East.
He reiterated Turkiye’s substantial humanitarian aid contributions to Gaza and reaffirmed support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, particularly in the wake of the Crimea annexation in 2014.
Erdogan also called for global cooperation to address humanitarian crises in Gaza and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Additionally, he condemned the global spread of Islamophobia, racism, and xenophobia, advocating for inclusive policies.
Pope Francis commended Erdogan’s dedication to peace-building endeavors and urged collaborative efforts to alleviate the suffering caused by Israeli oppression in Palestine.
