Erdogan: In Europe and the US, a child's thorn prick breaks parents' hearts; in Gaza, children have limbs amputated without anesthesia

(Patria) - President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the UN General Assembly session in New York tonight with a very emotional speech about the Israeli genocide of Palestinians.

Erdogan said that while in Europe and the US, a child's thorn prick breaks parents' hearts, in Gaza, children have limbs amputated without anesthesia.

He expressed regret that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cannot attend the UN General Assembly due to US sanctions, at a time when his country is being recognized by an increasing number of states.

He also emphasized that he is in the UN building to speak on behalf of the Palestinian people, whose voices are being silenced. On that occasion, he thanked all countries that have recognized the State of Palestine, appealing to those that have not to do so soon.

- I would like to remind you once again of the first words of the first article of the Charter of the United Nations: "Can there be peace in a world where children die?".

I will show you a photograph depicting daily life in Gaza. Please, can there be a legitimate reason for such brutality in 2025? - Erdogan asked, showing disturbing photographs of Palestinian children.

He points out that this shameful scene has been repeating daily in Gaza for 23 months.

- Two and a half million residents of Gaza are displaced daily. They are forced to flee every day. The health infrastructure has collapsed. Doctors have been killed or detained. Ambulances have been hit.

Hospitals have been bombed. Treatment is impossible. Operations are impossible, and medicines are impossible to find. As Tayyip Erdogan, I say this with deep sadness. In Europe and America, a child's thorn prick breaks parents' hearts. In Gaza, children have limbs amputated without anesthesia.

Innocent children, only 2-3 years old, without arms, forearms, or legs, have unfortunately become a common sight in Gaza today. What conscience can remain silent about this? Can there be peace in a world where children die? - says Erdogan.

Birleşmiş Milletler 80'inci Genel Kurulu #UNGA80 https://t.co/sPIon6VL0x

— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) September 23, 2025

He emphasizes that there is no war in Gaza because on one side is a modern army with the deadliest weapons, and on the other side are innocent civilians and innocent children.

During his speech in New York, Erdogan drew a parallel between the Israeli genocide of Palestinians and the Holocaust of Jews during World War II.

- Genocide, like the Holocaust, is a shameful concept that refers to the mass extermination of people. It is a barbaric concept. But in Gaza, not only people are being killed, but also animals - Erdogan noted.

Speaking about Israeli crimes, he said that even the United Nations could not protect its own personnel in Gaza.

- 500 people who rushed to help humanity have been killed. Of these, 365 were UN personnel. Genocide is a shameful, inhuman concept, just like the Holocaust. Today in Gaza, not only people are being killed, but animals are also being targeted.

Agricultural land, gardens, trees, and centuries-old olive trees in Gaza are being destroyed. Water in Gaza is being destroyed and polluted. Schools, mosques, and churches are being deliberately destroyed. This is a policy of genocide, mass murder, carried out under the guise of the October 7 incident.

While Gaza is being destroyed under the guise of Hamas, the West Bank, where Hamas is not in power, is gradually being occupied, and innocent civilians are being massacred. Israel is not limited to Gaza and the West Bank; it also threatens peace in the region by launching attacks on Syria and Lebanon.

An Israeli attack was carried out on a delegation that met in Qatar for a ceasefire. The attack on Qatar showed that the Israeli government has completely lost control. It has been shown once again that Netanyahu has no intention of peace - the Turkish president underlined.

According to him, concepts like justice and democracy have been rejected.

- Acting under the delusion of a promised land, Israel is attacking the common achievements of humanity. A ceasefire in Gaza must be established immediately. Humanitarian aid must be allowed.

Today is the day. Today is the day to stand firmly with the oppressed Palestinians. While your people protest against this barbarism, come and show your courage. Fulfill your humanitarian duty to Gaza - Erdogan added.