Fight against disinformation to continue, says Turkish official

An aerial shot of Istanbul. (AFP/File Photo)
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Updated 20 March 2025
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Fight against disinformation to continue, says Turkish official

ANKARA: Following the decision to detain Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality officials and other suspects within the scope of a series of investigations conducted by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office, we note that some parties, especially leaders of the main opposition party, are making efforts to undermine the integrity of the investigations with political and ideological motives.

Among the political and ideological assessments made without familiarity with the content and details of the investigations that have begun, we are also witnessing irrational slanders against our president.

We will continue to stand firmly against such endeavors aimed at undermining the independence of our judiciary, which exercises its authority on behalf of the Turkish nation, as well as putting our president under suspicion, and will continue to protect the rights of our president against these ideological slander campaigns.

We emphasize our belief that all decisions of an impartial judiciary should be respected by all groups, and we would like to state that we will continue our fight against disinformation as the Communication Directorate in this process.

We ask our valued citizens to support this fight by dealing cautiously with unconfirmed and suspicious content and, as always, please rely on the statements of official institutions and authorities.

  • Prof. Dr. Fahrettin Altun is Head of the Communications Directorate of the Republic of Turkiye.

UN chief warns Israel’s actions in West Bank are eroding prospects for a two-state solution

Updated 13 min 48 sec ago
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UN chief warns Israel’s actions in West Bank are eroding prospects for a two-state solution

  • Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ‘gravely concerned’ by new rules that tighten Israeli control of the territory and make it easier for Israeli settlers to buy land there
  • He calls on Israel to reverse the decision, urges all parties to safeguard what he describes as the only viable path to lasting peace: a negotiated two-state solution

NEW YORK CITY: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Monday that the approval by Israeli authorities of new administrative and enforcement measures in the West Bank undermine the prospects for a two-state solution.

Israel’s Security Cabinet this weekend approved new rules designed to strengthen control over the occupied West Bank, make it easier for Israeli settlers to buy land there and give Israeli officials stronger powers to enforce laws on Palestinians.

Guterres said he was “gravely concerned” by the reported decision to authorize the new measures in Areas A and B of the West Bank, warning that the current trajectory of developments on the ground was eroding the possibility of a negotiated settlement between Israelis and Palestinians.

He reiterated that all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, lack legal validity and constitute a “flagrant violation of international law.”

Such actions, including Israel’s continuing presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, were destabilizing and unlawful, he added, as recalled by the International Court of Justice.

Guterres called on Israeli authorities to reverse their decision and urged all parties to safeguard what he described as the only viable path to lasting peace: a negotiated two-state solution in line with international law and Security Council resolutions.

Israel has rejected international criticism of its settlement policies and disputes claims that they violate international law.