To fully understand the pain and tragedy in Palestine and to raise awareness, a panel titled "The Last Front of Humanity: Gaza and Jerusalem" was organized at our university. Palestinian researcher and writer Ahmet Naimoğlu and lawyer Abdullah Zerrar participated as speakers in the panel held at Ahi Evran Congress and Culture Center. The panel, which attracted the interest of many students, also featured a photo exhibition titled "Being a Doctor in Gaza," prepared by the Ahi Physicians Student Community.
The Prevention and Cessation of Wars are a Form of Preventive Medicine
Firstly, Şevket Taner, the representative of the Ahi Physicians Development and Thought Student Community on behalf of the university's student communities, gave a speech at the panel. In his speech, he emphasized that Palestine was the historically and culturally richest region in the world, where three Abrahamic religions coexisted under the guardianship of ancestors. It was mentioned that Gaza was a resistance homeland surrounded by walls, and the genocide committed by Israel in the region wounded consciences. Taner condemned the Zionist Israeli regime that indiscriminately carried out massacres, targeting the elderly, women, children, hospitals, ambulances, doctors, and healthcare workers. Expressing that they regarded the prevention and cessation of wars as a form of preventive medicine, Şevket Taner stated that their only wish was for the end of oppression in the world one day.
Palestine People did not Sell their Land; The Sold Land (1.6%) Belonged to Lebanese and Syrian Christian People
After the opening speeches, the panel "The Last Front of Humanity: Gaza and Jerusalem" began with Asst. Prof. Dr. Tahsin Hazırbulan, who provided information about the backgrounds of the panelists. The first speaker was Palestinian researcher and author Ahmet Naimoğlu, who stated that there was a lot of disinformation about the Palestinian issue. Mentioning that there was a perception campaign that Palestinians sold land, Naimoğlu stated that the actual percentage of land sold was only 1.6%, and the sellers were Lebanese and Syrian Christians. Naimoğlu emphasized that Israel had been terrorizing the region for years, saying, "Israeli police do not need a reason to arrest you. If they don't like your appearance, they can detain you for 6 months or a year, and they can extend it as much as they want. Some children have been detained for 14 years without an administrative investigation.
With a Clear Direction, Minorities Triumph over Majorities
Avukat Abdullah Zerrar, in his speech, began with a poem describing the oppression in Palestine. Working as a correspondent for Anadolu Agency in the region, Zerrar highlighted the agency's efforts, stating, "Despite Israel's pressures with the support of the U.S., the agency produced excellent work in Palestine. The book 'Kanıt' (Evidence), presented by the Anadolu Agency, exposes Israel's war crimes in Gaza through documentary photographs. The reason for the agency to do this is to provide evidence in international law and ensure the prosecution of Israel." Explaining that Israel's motivation for starting a war in Gaza was the desire to eliminate the presence of any Muslims in the region, Zerrar emphasized that their plans and predictions were all made. Asserting that when one had a clear direction, minorities, as in the cases of Bedir and Uhud, could prevail over majorities, he added that those who stayed firm in Gaza today, supporting their country, nation, and Islam, were promised paradise.
Following the panels of Researcher Author Ahmet Naimoğlu on "How Did the Aksa Flood Start, What Is the Current Situation in Gaza?" and Lawyer Abdullah Zerrar on "Media Coverage of Gaza Events and Combatting Disinformation," the session moved to a question-and-answer period where questions from students were addressed. Finally, the panel concluded with Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil presenting certificates of appreciation to the panelists.
