In a strong statement on Thursday, TRNC Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu criticized the US Congress for inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak and giving him a prolonged standing ovation.

Ertuğruloğlu expressed his dismay at honouring a leader he holds responsible for the deaths of at least 20,000 children.

Speaking at a meeting with the Azerbaijan Victory Martyrs’ Families Association and the children of Karabakh martyrs, Ertuğruloğlu said, “Who is Netanyahu? He is a prime minister who has caused the deaths of innocent people, including children. Inviting such a person to Washington, allowing him to speak in Congress, and giving him a standing ovation is not civilization; it is something else entirely.”

Ertuğruloğlu also addressed broader international issues, particularly criticizing the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

He echoed the words of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, stating, “The world is bigger than five. The world is slowly realizing its significance. The influence and power of these five countries are waning. Therefore, we will continue to defend our just causes, whether it is Azerbaijan, Türkiye, or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, regardless of the cost. We will support and stand by each other because we do not covet anyone’s rights or land, but we will not allow anyone to covet ours,” the TRNC foreign minister said.

Ertuğruloğlu emphasized the need for mutual support among nations with just causes, urging unity and determination in the face of international challenges.