site.btaMahmoud Abbas' Speech in Turkish Parliament Dominates Turkish Press on Friday

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's speech to the Turkish parliament on Thursday is the lead story in the Turkish press on Friday. Many Turkish publications carry his words on the Palestinian struggle against Israel front-page headlines ("Either victory or martyrdom", Sabah, Milliyet, Yeni Akit, Yeni Birlik, Sözcü, among others).

Here is a sample of more headlines: "I Will Go to Gaza even It Costs Me My Life" (Hurriyet), "Address to the World from the Turkish Grand National Assembly" (Yeni Şafak), "Abbas Goes to Gaza" (Karar), "Majlis Becomes a Tribune for Palestine" (AKŞAM), "Abbas: We Will Drive Out the Occupiers" (Milat). 

In a historic speech to the Turkish parliament in the capital Ankara, the 88-year-old Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas thanked the Turkish people for their solidarity with the Palestinians, the pro-government newspaper Sabbah reported.

THE ADDRESS

In his address, Abbas said that he plans to visit Gaza even it cost him his life.  He called on world leaders and the UN Secretary-General to also visit Gaza. 

"The goal of the genocide being committed in Gaza is to remove Palestinian presence from our homeland and to deport our people," Abbas added. "No matter how hard they try, it will not happen. Our people are attached to their holy land and will expel the occupiers," the Palestinian leader said. 

"We follow the dictates of Islam: it is either victory or martyrdom. I speak here on an international platform and call on all Arab and Islamic leaders that we accomplish this task together," Abbas said.

He said further, "Our struggle against Israel's barbaric aggression mobilizes people from all continents of the world who stand up against injustice. People loudly condemn Israel and the forces of destruction." 

Diplomats from many diplomatic missions came to the Turkish capital for Abbas' speech on Thursday. The event was covered by a large number of local and foreign journalists.

Abbas' statement lasted 45 minutes - longer than originally scheduled. At times the Palestinian leader raised his voice. He was applauded before and after the speech, and was often interrupted by ovations as he spoke. Those in attendance rose to their feet several times.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was in Parliament for the speech and along with him were Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and Ali Erbaş, head of Turkey's Diyanet Directorate for Religious Affairs.