Turkey’s Kurtulmus Calls for Israel’s Suspension from UN Over Gaza Conflict

Numan Kurtulmus has called for Israel’s suspension from the United Nations, accusing it of apartheid-like policies against Palestinians and urging stronger international action. Speaking at an Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting in Istanbul, he also criticised the UN for failing to stop global conflicts and warned that tensions in the Middle East could worsen.

Turkey’s Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus has called for the suspension of Israel from the United Nations, sharply criticising its policies toward Palestinians and urging the international community to take stronger action in response to what he described as serious violations of international law.
Speaking at the 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Istanbul, Kurtulmus argued that the global system has acted decisively in the past when confronting apartheid, pointing to the suspension of South Africa from international participation during the apartheid era as an example. He suggested that similar measures should be considered today in response to Israel’s actions, which he claimed reflect unequal treatment of Palestinians under different legal systems.
He questioned whether it is compatible with international law for one population to be governed under one set of rules while another group within the same territory is subject to different laws, describing this as a form of apartheid. His remarks reflected growing criticism from some international figures who argue that existing global institutions have not done enough to address the conflict.
Kurtulmus also directed criticism at the United Nations, saying it has become increasingly ineffective in preventing wars and protecting civilians. He argued that the organisation has been weakened by the influence of powerful states, making it less capable of enforcing peace or stopping ongoing conflicts, particularly in Gaza.
Beyond his remarks on the UN and Israel, he highlighted broader instability in the Middle East, warning that current developments could increase tensions between regional powers, including Gulf states and Iran. He called for renewed diplomatic engagement and stronger mediation efforts to prevent further escalation.
On the sidelines of the conference, Kurtulmus met with regional parliamentary leaders, including Khalid Al Maawali, Chairman of Oman’s Shura Council. He expressed appreciation for Oman’s mediation role in regional disputes and stressed the importance of continuing dialogue efforts to sustain ceasefire agreements and turn them into lasting peace arrangements.
He also noted that Türkiye is hosting the Inter-Parliamentary Union General Assembly for the fourth time, with representatives from around 155 countries attending the event in Istanbul, underscoring the scale of international participation and the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in addressing global conflicts.