On the first anniversary of the attacks launched by Israel against the Palestinian People following Hamas's Al-Aqsa Flood operations on October 7, 2023, a panel titled "The Israel Problem in Palestine and the Middle East" was organized in cooperation with the Türkiye Language and Literature Association Mersin Branch, our University's Faculties of Economics and Administrative Sciences and Theology, and Eğitim Bir-Sen, aimed at not letting this atrocity be forgotten and raising awareness.

The panel, held at our University's Prof. Dr. Uğur Oral Culture Center, was attended by our Rector Prof. Dr. Erol Yaşar, our Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hakan Öztürk, our Rector's Advisors Prof. Dr. Ayla Özer, Prof. Dr. İlker Fatih Kara, and Assoc. Prof. Erhan Arslan, our Faculty of Theology Acting Dean Prof. Dr. Abdulvahid Sezen, our Faculty of Maritime Dean Prof. Dr. İzzettin Temiz, our Faculty of Tourism Dean Prof. Dr. Ahmet Atasoy, our Social Sciences Vocational School Director Prof. Dr. İlhan Ege, our School of Foreign Languages Director Assoc. Prof. Mehmet Zeki Uyanık, Eğitim Bir-Sen Mersin Universities Branch President Asst. Prof. Ömer Özbilen, Türkiye Language and Literature Association Mersin Branch President Muharrem Köse, our University's academics and administrative staff, and students.

Following a one-minute moment of silence for all our martyrs and the singing of our National Anthem together, Faculty of Theology academic Lecturer Muzaffer Ä°nneci performed a Quran recitation.

After the opening speech by Eğitim Bir-Sen Mersin Universities Branch President Asst. Prof. Ömer Özbilen, the panel began with Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Cemal Altan as facilitator, and Rector's Advisor and Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences Department of International Relations Chair Assoc. Prof. Buğra Sarı, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences Department of International Relations Visiting Lecturer Dr. Mustafa Erim, and Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences Department of International Relations faculty member Dr. Kaan Kutlu Ataç as speakers.

"Such Events Should Always Be Held and This Atrocity Should Never Be Forgotten"

In the panel where Dean Prof. Dr. Cemal Altan shared numerical casualty figures related to this atrocity after each speaker, Dr. Mustafa Erim—founding president of the Türkiye Language and Literature Association Mersin Branch who was invited to the panel as a Visiting Lecturer at the Department of International Relations—spoke first. Delivering a presentation examining the Israel problem in its historical dimension, Dr. Mustafa Erim explained the importance Jews attribute to rebuilding their destroyed temples in their theology. He described the Jewish desire to establish a homeland and state in Jerusalem and how this territory was provided to them, and conveyed the Jewish migration from around the world to Jerusalem. Dr. Mustafa Erim concluded by stating that such events should always be held and this ongoing atrocity should never be forgotten.

"Netanyahu Is No Longer a Legitimate Statesman"

Taking the floor as the second speaker in the panel, Rector's Advisor and Department of International Relations Chair Assoc. Prof. Buğra Sarı began his remarks by saying "Hamas is defending its own homeland." Stating that Hamas has issued a challenge to the entire world since October 7, 2023, Assoc. Prof. Buğra Sarı said that attempts are being made to blame Hamas for the massacres and that tactical perception management is being conducted on this matter. Also making remarks about recent expectations of a regional war, Assoc. Prof. Sarı stated that Israel is working to secure American support for the continuation of the Netanyahu government. Noting that all our competent authorities, led by our President, are making very serious efforts to establish peace in the region and end this ongoing atrocity, Assoc. Prof. Buğra Sarı concluded his speech by saying, "Netanyahu is no longer a legitimate statesman."

Finally, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences Department of International Relations faculty member Dr. Kaan Kutlu Ataç took the floor. Making remarks about the geopolitical position of the region, Ataç examined the questions: "Where were we one day before October 7, 2023—that is, on October 6, 2023—what did the fractures at the global level indicate, and where have we been since October 7, 2023?" In his speech evaluating the Israel problem from geopolitical and international Islamic perspectives, Dr. Kaan Kutlu Ataç explained the importance of Turkish national security and Mersin Port. Ataç concluded his remarks by conveying the pressure zone in the Middle East region through various examples.

Following the presentations, the Q&A session took place. After the speakers answered the audience's questions and our Rector Prof. Dr. Erol YaÅŸar presented certificates of appreciation to the speakers, the panel concluded with a group photo.

Press and Public Relations Branch Directorate