Ashraf AboArafe
In a unique experience, which I have never experienced at the hands of a diplomat, during his 41 years of work as a diplomatic editor, which is inviting all Egyptian media editors, academics, intellectuals, artists, and businessmen to have breakfast in the style of Turkish cuisine… This, if anything, indicates far-sightedness and remarkable diplomatic intelligence that aims to strengthen Bilateral relations between Egypt and Turkey and the revival of love rooted for more than 6 centuries… in which Egyptian souls intermarried with Turkish ones and vice versa, and ancient and modern history were fertilized with morning and evening conversations… and this is the secret of the Egyptian public’s interest in watching Turkish dramas, whether romantic or historical, etc..
Today, and perhaps for the third time in less than a month, His Excellency the country’s ambassador, Mr. Salih Mutlu Shen, is hosting a breakfast banquet according to Turkish cuisine protocol, as if you were on the shore of the Bosphorus Strait to smell its aroma mixed with the Nile, according to the agreement concluded between the great Nile River and the Bosphorus Bosphorus over the years of love and beauty.
Ambassador Shen: Breakfast is indispensable in Turkish food culture
Turkish Ambassador to Cairo: Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to live as a human being or in safety anywhere in Gaza.
Ambassador Shen: The Rafah border crossing, which provides direct access from Egypt to Gaza, is indispensable for humanitarian aid.
Ambassador Shen: We congratulate Spain, Norway and Ireland for their generous, strong and honorable stance in favor of justice and truth.
The Turkish Ambassador to Cairo Salih Mutlu Shen said that breakfast is an essential meal in Turkish culture and that Turkey attaches great importance to promoting the traditions and culture of Turkish breakfast.
This came during his speech at the breakfast held at the ambassador’s residence in Cairo on the occasion of World Breakfast Day.
Ambassador Shen said that International Breakfast Day is celebrated around the world on June 2 every year.
Ambassador Shen continued his speech by saying, “In Turkish culture, breakfast is considered a main meal.” For this reason, Türkiye attaches importance to promoting the culture and traditions of Turkish breakfast. All health experts stress the importance of starting the day with a strong and healthy breakfast.
We Turks, especially me, grew up on olives and olive oil is a magic cure for a healthy and long life. Olive oil is an indispensable ingredient in our breakfast.
During one of my visits to Al-Arish, I discovered Al-Arish cold-pressed, natural and original extra virgin olive oil and bought dozens of bottles. Now every morning I start my breakfast on an empty stomach by mixing lake lemon with Al Areesh olive oil and drink it. For the sake of mental and physical health, doctors advise waking up early and before starting a stressful and busy day, eating a breakfast as rich in vitamins, minerals and protein as possible. 
One of the most important features of the Turkish breakfast is that it is rich and varied. The Turkish breakfast also includes many products such as meat, sausage, and pastrami. This is more common in England and the Nordic countries
In addition, there are also other ingredients such as jam, honey, olives and butter, just like the European continent.
However, Turkish breakfast is characterized by pastries, yogurt, vegetables, and most importantly olives, which are indispensable on the breakfast table. Of course, we must add simit and cheesecake. 
It can be said that the basis of Turkish breakfast is olives and cheese. Of course, it is eaten with Turkish simit or bread
Therefore, breakfast has an indispensable place in Turkish food culture.
To have a healthy and long life, food and shelter are the basic needs of humans. Access to food and shelter is also a basic human right
Ambassador Shen said, “But unfortunately, in light of the humanitarian catastrophe that Gaza is witnessing today, it has become impossible to talk about access to food and shelter, even for children and women.”
More than 36 thousand Palestinian brothers and sisters were martyred in the war that Israel continues in Gaza despite international calls.
In addition, our Palestinian brothers, who are trying to survive in tents, on the streets and on sidewalks, are deprived of the minimum amount of health and food to sustain their lives.
In the long term, lack of access to food can lead not only to illness, stress, stress and anxiety but also to major chronic diseases. Furthermore, access to healthcare in Gaza is currently very limited and insufficient
Regarding shelter, 70% of homes in Gaza were destroyed while many Palestinians who have already lost their homes and who were displaced to the south at the invitation of Israel are trying to live in temporary tents, many of our brothers have lost their lives as a result of the Israeli bombing as part of the Rafah operation in the places indicated by Israel.
In other words, unfortunately, it is no longer possible to live as a human being and be safe anywhere in Gaza.
Turkey and Egypt were not indifferent to this humanitarian tragedy. Turkey, with the support of Egypt, has delivered tens of thousands of tons of food aid to Gaza since the beginning of the war.
However, because food is a product that is consumed daily and there is no way to store or preserve food due to the shortage of electricity and fuel in Gaza, there is a need to commit to providing food to approximately two million people on a continuous and regular basis every day.
Although United Nations institutions such as UNRWA and the World Food Program are doing their best, food cannot be delivered to a sufficient extent due to the blockade and strict controls imposed by Israel.
Of course, the opening of the Karam Abu Salem border crossing to the arrival of the humanitarian aid expected in Egypt within the framework of the temporary solution reached between President Sisi and President Biden is a positive development, but unfortunately, due to insufficient and poor security, a large portion of humanitarian aid cannot be received and distributed to those in need in Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
We know that the platform built by America has also been destroyed, and the aid that can be delivered through this platform is already limited.
Therefore, the Rafah border crossing, which provides direct access from Egypt to Gaza, is indispensable for humanitarian aid.
However, Israel’s unjust and illegal occupation and control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing, in violation of the agreements reached, as well as the Rafah military operation, have temporarily disrupted the use of the Rafah border crossing. 
Türkiye demanded that Israel withdraw from the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing. Egypt also issued the same invitation. We support Egypt’s position on this issue. In order to deliver humanitarian aid urgently, Israel must withdraw from the Rafah border crossing as quickly as possible. The management of the crossing must be handed over to the Palestinians and humanitarian aid, especially food aid, must be delivered immediately.
In this context, as you know, about 100,000 Palestinian brothers and sisters came to Egypt after October 7th. We know that the Egyptian authorities provide all kinds of understanding and support in the areas of health, shelter and food, using all the resources available to them.
We are trying to provide humanitarian support to our brothers in Gaza in Egypt as much as we can at this stage. The embassy will host 500 Palestinian families from Gaza on the second day of Eid and will distribute sacrificial meat and gifts.
As a form of condolence or a simple gesture, we hope to express a measure of solidarity on this blessed Eid that we all share.
Türkiye will continue to support our brothers in Gaza in cooperation with Egypt and our brothers living in Egypt within the limits of its capabilities.
In addition, we will of course try to provide scholarships to Palestinian youth, children and students in Egypt through civil society organizations. We will try to reach patients and support them. In other words, we will continue to make every effort to be brothers to the Palestinians as much as we can.
We hope that the war will end in the coming period, that a ceasefire will be reached as soon as possible, thanks to Egypt’s efforts, and that the humanitarian needs in Gaza will be adequately met.
We hope to begin the recovery process, followed by the rebuilding process. Türkiye will mobilize all its resources and will be at the forefront in all these operations.
As you know, the sensitivity of the Turkish position towards Gaza is echoed in our president’s calls to the international community
This difficult and catastrophic humanitarian situation made the international community remember and pay attention to the Palestinian issue
Finally, the recognition of the independent State of Palestine by Spain, Norway and Ireland is a very positive development and we welcomed this as well.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also visited Spain as part of the Contact Group for Arab-Islamic Countries. He met with the Spanish authorities.
We extend our congratulations to Spain, Norway and Ireland for their honorable, strong and generous stance in favor of justice and truth.
Ambassador Shen concluded his speech by saying, “We demand and expect the entire international community to recognize the independent and sovereign State of Palestine as soon as possible, accept it as a member of the United Nations, and pave the way for an irreversible two-state solution, so that Palestine can live a dignified and respectful life on the 1967 borders. 
