A high-level session on ‘One Heart for Palestine: Protecting the Future Against Destruction in Education’ was held at the Antalya Diplomatic Forum (ADF2026).

Emine Erdoğan, wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Najat Maalla M’jid, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, Mirela Becirovic, wife of the President of the Presidential Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Academician Ilan Pappé from the University of Exeter made speeches at the program. The session discussed how children who cannot complete their education in Palestine can continue their lives in safer areas where psychosocial support mechanisms are strengthened.

First Lady Erdoğan said that the meeting at the ADF is an indication of determination to practice the art of diplomacy, which is the value that best suits human dignity, in a world where guns speak louder even in the smallest disagreements. Erdoğan said, “I hope that the messages we will give will touch hearts. More importantly, it will be a ray of hope for a new life for children who are victims of wars around the world.”

‘WE MUST FIGHT ANYTHING THAT ENCOURAGES VIOLENCE’

Stating that she is deeply saddened by the armed attacks that took place in 2 schools in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş, First Lady Erdoğan said, “I pray for God’s mercy on our valuable teachers and students who lost their lives in the attacks. I express my condolences to their grieving families, relatives and our education community. I hope that our children who are being treated in the hospital will recover as soon as possible. Children and young people are the hope and future of a nation. This violence they are subjected to.” “We cannot leave it to this spiral. We have to fight determinedly against anything that encourages and trivializes violence, regardless of its medium and guise. We must pay attention to the devastating effects of uncontrolled violent content on children and young people. I hope that no teacher, no student, no family will be tested by such a grave incident. I once again offer my condolences to our nation and our grieving families.”

EDUCATION IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF DEATH AND CHAOS IN PALESTINE

Noting that when the Palestinian people were exiled from their homeland in 1948, the first thing they did was to establish schools in the refugee camps, Erdoğan said, “Education has been a front of resistance and existence for the Palestinian people since then. The notebooks and pens that children and young people never put out of their hands are the symbol of the hope for the future good days of Palestine. We witnessed this fact once again with the genocide that took place in Gaza after October 7. Ruins, tents and rubble all over Gaza.” In the midst of bombs, death and chaos, education continued. Teachers and educators became one of the most important actors of civil resistance. Palestinians, who did not stop education despite the 78-year-old blockade and endless attacks, gave a very important message to the world. Education is not a luxury that can be suspended while waiting for peace, but rather it is the most vital tool for survival, recovery and reconstruction. Palestinians are not only in a war for almost a century. “They are exposed to culture-crime, education-crime and genocide,” he said.

‘ISRAEL IS DEFINITELY BOMBING LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES’

Stating that the destruction of more than 90 percent of school and university buildings in Gaza today is a product of this strategy, Erdoğan said, “It is not a collateral damage of the war. Israel is deliberately bombing libraries, archives, cultural assets that are heirlooms of centuries. It targets the survival of Palestine. It wants to ensure that no trace of history, culture, memory, in short, the existence of the Palestinian people is left in the Palestinian geography. According to UNESCO data, October 7 “Between 2023 and 24 March 2026, 164 cultural assets were damaged in Gaza. Each of these are cornerstones of Palestine’s memory, such as mosques, churches, museums and historical bazaars. However, centers containing historical documents, manuscripts and academic collections, such as the Gaza City central archives, the Gaza Islamic University Library and the Great Omeri Mosque Library, were unfortunately destroyed.”

‘GAZA’S CHILDREN CANNOT EVEN IMAGINE ANYTHING BEYOND DEATH’

Stating that before October 7, Palestine had one of the highest literacy rates in the world, First Lady Erdoğan said, “Today, 60 percent of approximately 637 thousand school-age children in Gaza cannot access education. 90 thousand university students cannot continue their education. More than 1 million children live with deep psychological wounds and are in need of urgent psychosocial support. Recently, the funeral play in which several Gaza children aged 3-5 carried a doll like a martyr received wide coverage in the media. However, when children’s games are mentioned, hide and seek and hopscotch come to mind, right? It is a pity that the children of Gaza can no longer imagine anything beyond death. Even dolls are dying there. Despite this, the culture of collective learning continues to survive in Gaza, even under extremely impossible conditions.

‘HOW MANY MORE CHILDREN HAVE TO DIE’

Noting that a 9-year-old girl was taken from her life just a few days ago when the Israeli army opened fire on the tents where children were receiving education in the Gaza Strip, Erdoğan said, “The words her mother said after her only child, whom she raised with care and smell, should raise the whole world: ‘I wanted him to go to school like other children all over the world. I dressed him, combed his hair and braided it for him to go to school this morning. He was returned to me dead, with his face covered in blood.” Imagine that in Gaza, parents cannot hold their children’s hands and take them home after school. He embraces their lifeless bodies and takes them to bury them. We are faced with such an irrational, inhumane and unlawful violence that does not recognize law, tramples human rights, women’s rights and children’s rights under its feet, and is so irrational that it wages war against children. “I honestly don’t know how many more children need to die before the international community takes full action and says ‘stop’ to this horrific child genocide,” he said.

ISRAEL BLOCKS AID

Stating that Turkey has been carrying out humanitarian aid activities to support Palestine with institutions such as the Red Crescent, AFAD, and the Presidency of Religious Affairs since October 7, Erdoğan said, “During this period, we delivered more than 110 thousand tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza. At the ‘One Heart Leader Spouses Summit for Palestine’ that we held in Istanbul in 2023, we called on the international community to take action to declare an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and provide humanitarian aid. How happy.” We are in solidarity with two conscientious friendly and brotherly countries. As a result of all our efforts, 21 more countries, mainly western countries, have recognized the State of Palestine. Even though the ceasefire has been achieved, there is still no support other than humanitarian aid shipments to the 2 million Palestinians stuck in an area of 80-90 square kilometers. However, the activities of international organizations are also blocked by Israel. One of these is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. “This agency provides all kinds of services to Palestinian refugees, especially education, and is there as a representative of the conscience of humanity. We cannot accept that its work is blocked by Israel. This is both a flagrant violation of international law and the murder of human values. Turkey is one of the rare countries that does not withdraw its political support along with the financial contribution we provide. On this occasion, I would like to underline how important it is for all countries to stand by this agency and provide the necessary political and financial support.”

THE PALESTINE PEOPLE WILL RISE FROM THE ASHES

Erdoğan said that the reconstruction of Gaza is the duty of every conscientious person and the international community on which it is based, and continued as follows:

“We are the ones who will establish the educational infrastructure for more than 1 million children left behind. Our primary goal should be the continuation of education in the camps. Safe education areas must be provided for students and educators, where they will be protected from Israeli attacks. We must develop joint projects together to rebuild destroyed schools. We must ensure that children continue their interrupted education with alternative solutions such as digital resources, distance education, and, if necessary, radio broadcasts. On this occasion, I would like to address educators all over the world. Today, there are thousands of children who will never see school again.” “Their eternal sleep is a wound in our conscience that will never heal. The Palestinian people believe in a Palestine that will rise from the ashes. So let’s join hands and build a Palestine that proves that the values of civilization and the conscience of humanity are standing tall.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had a meeting with Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar, who was in Türkiye for the 5th Antalya Diplomatic Forum. The leaders discussed Turkey-Slovenia bilateral relations and regional and global developments.

In the statement made by the Directorate of Communications, the following was noted:

During the meeting, President Erdoğan stated that the relations between Türkiye and Slovenia are getting stronger day by day, and that we are striving to increase our cooperation, especially in the fields of trade, economy and infrastructure.

Our President stated that he sees Türkiye’s goal of full membership in the European Union as strategically important and that we expect a courageous and visionary approach from the Union.

President Erdoğan stated that it is important for us, as NATO allies, to increase our cooperation in the field of defense industry in the environment of instability and war in our nearby geography, that they expect new decisions to be taken on this issue at NATO’s Ankara Summit, and that it would be beneficial for Slovenian officials to attend the SAHA defense fair to be held in Istanbul starting from May 5.

Our President stated that it was appreciated that Slovenia recognized the State of Palestine, imposed an arms embargo on Israel, and pioneered resolutions in favor of Palestine at the UN.

President Erdoğan stated that he wishes Slovenia to participate in the Balkan Peace Platform, which Türkiye established to support stability in the Balkans.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held intense diplomatic contacts within the scope of Antalya Diplomatic Forum 2026. During the meetings, relations between the two countries, international issues and economic developments were discussed.

PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN RECEIVED THE OSCE SECRETARY GENERAL

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Feridun Sinirlioğlu.

IRAQ

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) President Nechirvan Barzani.

LIBYA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with the Prime Minister of the Libyan National Unity Government, Abdulhamid Dibeybe, within the scope of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum.

BURUNDI

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Burundi President Ndayişiye Evarist within the scope of the 5th Antalya Diplomatic Forum.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

President Recep Tayyip met with the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, within the scope of the 5th Antalya Diplomatic Forum.

UNION OF COMOROS

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with the President of the Union of Comoros, Assoumani Azali, within the scope of the 5th Antalya Diplomatic Forum.

SLOVENIA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had a meeting with Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar, who was in Türkiye for the 5th Antalya Diplomatic Forum. The leaders discussed Turkey-Slovenia bilateral relations and regional and global developments.

In the statement made by the Directorate of Communications, the following was noted:

During the meeting, President Erdoğan stated that relations between Türkiye and Slovenia are getting stronger day by day, and that we are striving to increase our cooperation, especially in the fields of trade, economy and infrastructure.

President Erdoğan stated that he sees Türkiye’s goal of full membership in the European Union as strategically important and that we expect a courageous and visionary approach from the Union.

President Erdoğan stated that it is important for us, as NATO allies, to increase our cooperation in the field of defense industry in the environment of instability and war in our nearby geography, that they expect new decisions to be taken on this issue at NATO’s Ankara Summit, and that it would be beneficial for Slovenian officials to attend the SAHA defense fair to be held in Istanbul starting from May 5.

President Erdoğan stated that Slovenia’s recognition of the State of Palestine, its implementation of an arms embargo on Israel and its pioneering of resolutions in favor of Palestine at the UN were appreciated.

Erdoğan stated that he wishes Slovenia to participate in the Balkan Peace Platform, which Türkiye established to support stability in the Balkans.

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidential Council Members Zeljka Cvijanovic, Denis Becirovic and Zeljko Komsic, who were in Türkiye for the 5th Antalya Diplomatic Forum, at a working breakfast.

AZERBAIJAN

In his meeting with Azerbaijani President İlham Aliyev, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the regional countries, Turkey and Azerbaijan, are experiencing the negative effects of the war in Iran together, that they are managing the developments with common sense and coolness, and that Türkiye’s efforts are continuing to end the process in peace.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed Türkiye-Azerbaijan bilateral relations, regional and global issues.

During the meeting, President Erdoğan stated that they are determined to deepen cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan in the fields of trade, energy and defense industry and to take relations to higher levels, and that they believe that they can achieve this with new steps to be taken.

Erdoğan stated that the regional countries, Türkiye and Azerbaijan, are experiencing the negative effects of the war in Iran together, that they are managing the developments with common sense and coolness, and that Türkiye’s efforts are continuing to end the process in peace.

During the meeting, Erdogan said that Türkiye welcomed the steps taken towards permanent peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and that they, as Türkiye, would continue to support this process.

MOLDOVA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Moldovan President Maya Sandu discussed Türkiye-Moldova bilateral relations and regional issues.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed Türkiye-Moldova bilateral relations and regional issues.

President Erdoğan stated that they will continue to take steps to improve relations between Türkiye and Moldova in many issues, especially in trade, energy and defense industry.

Stating that Türkiye continues its efforts to revitalize the negotiation process to end the Ukraine-Russia war, Erdoğan noted that they have increased their contacts with the parties in order to achieve permanent peace.

Erdoğan emphasized that Gagauz Turks are an exceptional symbol of the cultural and human ties between the two countries.

QATAR AND PAKISTAN

In his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamed Al Thani, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the unlawful attacks against Iran increased the security risks in the region, that he was satisfied with the ceasefire, and that Türkiye continues to increase its efforts to preserve the ceasefire and ensure permanent peace.

At the meeting, leaders discussed hot developments in the region.

President Erdoğan stated that unlawful attacks against Iran increased security risks in the region, that he was satisfied with the ceasefire, and that Türkiye continued to increase its efforts to preserve the ceasefire and ensure permanent peace.

Erdoğan stated that the conflict process in the region reveals the necessity of creating a new and well-based regional security architecture, and that they will continue to discuss this issue in detail with the countries in the region.

During the meeting, the leaders also discussed the steps that can be taken together for permanent and sustainable peace on a regional scale.

SYRIA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Syrian President Ahmed Shara discussed bilateral relations, the latest situation in Syria and regional issues.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations, the latest situation in Syria and regional issues.

President Erdoğan stated that Syria has taken decisive steps in strengthening its unity and solidarity, reconstruction and development, and that Türkiye will continue to stand by Syria in this process.

Erdoğan noted that Syria should stay away from conflicts in the region, and that increasing cooperation between Turkey and Syria in all fields, especially defense, security, trade, energy and transportation, is important for Syria’s efforts to get back on its feet.

President Erdoğan also stated that it would be for the benefit of the entire region if the integration process in northeastern Syria was concluded peacefully without interruption.

The Center for Combating Disinformation (DMM) denied the claims that ‘the perpetrator of the attack on a secondary school in Kahramanmaraş did not die’.

In the statement made on DMM’s NSosyal account, the following was noted:

“The claims circulated in some social media channels and digital platforms that the perpetrator of the tragic incident in Kahramanmaraş was not dead are completely unfounded and do not reflect the truth. The judicial and medical processes regarding the attacker in question were completed and the person was buried on April 16. Contrary to this fact, which is confirmed by official records, the posts made are a conscious perception operation and black propaganda that aims to exploit social sensitivities, damage the bond of trust between the state and the nation, and shake our national unity and integrity.” activity.”

In the statement, which stated that, as required by the rule of law, the necessary legal processes have been initiated against those responsible for such content that publicly disseminates misleading information to the public and threatens social peace, and added: “We are kindly requested to be sensitive to posts containing disinformation aimed at disturbing the peace of our nation, and to only take into account the statements made by official authorities.” The expression was used.

The claims circulated in some social media channels and digital platforms that the perpetrator of the tragic incident in Kahramanmaraş is not dead are completely unfounded and do not reflect the truth.

Forensic and medical processes regarding the attacker in question have been completed; person… pic.twitter.com/ZcDoR0GnWI

— Center for Combating Disinformation (@dmmiletisim) April 18, 2026

2 of the 13 people detained within the scope of the Gülistan Doku investigation were arrested the previous day, and a judicial control order was issued for 2 of them. Yesterday, 7 more people, including the son of Tunceli Governor Tuncay Sonel, were sent to the courthouse. Tuncel Sonel, who was suspended by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and launched an investigation on charges of ‘destroying, concealing or altering criminal evidence’, was detained in Elazığ and transferred to Erzurum. Meanwhile, former State Hospital Chief Physician Çağdaş Özdemir, who allegedly had Gülistan Doku’s records deleted, was also detained.

Thus, the number of detainees increased to 15. Celal Altaş, Nurşen Arıkan, Ferhat Güven and Cemile Yücer, among the 9 suspects whose statements were completed within the scope of the investigation, were referred to the court with a request for arrest, and Uğurcan Açıkgöz for judicial control. On the other hand, arrested former police officer Gökhan Ertok admitted that he inserted the spare SIM card sent by Governor Tuncel into his mother’s phone, entered Gülistan Doku’s Instagram and WhatsApp accounts and deleted some of her data. A red notice was also requested for Mustafa Türkay Sonel’s friend Umut Altaş, who was determined to be abroad within the scope of the investigation and an arrest warrant was issued for him.

RECORDS WERE FOUND IN POLNET
It was determined that Gülistan Doku’s records at Tunceli State Hospital, where she went 4 days after she was raped, were deleted. However, it was determined that these records were located on POLNET (Police Information System Network). According to records, Gülistan Doku applied to Tunceli State Hospital 13 times in 2019. The last of these applications, the record on December 31, was deleted along with the records of other patients on January 7-9, 2020. The Ministry of Health appointed an inspector regarding the issue.

HIS FILE WAS SENT TO ERZURUM
During the investigation, sufficient suspicion of crime was reached that the then Governor of Tunceli, Tuncay Sonel, had committed acts of destroying, hiding or altering criminal evidence. Thereupon, upon the instructions of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mustafa Çiftçi, an administrative investigation was initiated and an inspector was appointed. Tunceli Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office also evaluated that the crimes attributed to Sonel were personal crimes. The file regarding Sonel was sent to Erzurum Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. A detention order was issued for Tuncay Sonel, who was suspended. Tuncay Sonel’s proceedings will be carried out by the Erzurum Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.

I ACCESSED YOUR ACCOUNT
Dismissed police officer Gökhan Ertok was arrested the previous day due to the possibility of tampering with evidence. Ertok, who requested to benefit from effective remorse, admitted that he inserted the spare SIM card, which was reissued by Gülistan Doku’s family and taken from the family by the then Governor Tuncay Sonel, and sent to him through his bodyguard Şükrü Eroğlu, on January 17 and 18, 2020, into his mother’s old phone that he had previously used. Ertok, who admitted that he accessed Gülistan Doku’s Instagram account in this way, said that he then accessed the WhatsApp application and performed some transactions there.

Under the coordination of the National Intelligence Organization, a joint study was initiated against the information systems of public institutions and organizations and the cybercrime structure targeting the personal data of citizens. Within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, 12 suspects were detained in raids carried out in Istanbul, Konya, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Manisa, Mardin, Batman, Çanakkale and Hakkari by the Ankara Provincial Gendarmerie Command Cyber ​​Crimes Branch Directorate teams.

MIT FOLLOWED STEP BY STEP
As a result of the studies carried out, it was determined that the structure operated by gaining unauthorized access to the systems through malicious software targeting the identity and account information of some users working in public institutions. It was determined that the data obtained was marketed through a multi-layered structure and transferred to third parties through the “dealership system”. During the operation, many domestic and international servers, data storage systems and digital materials were seized.

DATA TO TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS
Within the scope of the investigation, the suspect, who established and managed the technical infrastructure of the organization and carried out his activities using a code name to hide his identity, was caught in Mardin. It was determined that the suspect shared the data obtained through the system he established with different criminal elements, especially terrorist organizations and fraud networks, and that this structure allowed it to be used in organized crime activities.