Global Leaders’ Spouses See an Opening for Influence With Melania Trump
Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan is the latest spouse to publicly recognize Mrs. Trump’s sway.
The letter campaigns pleading for the plight of children caught in two conflicts—the Russian-led war in Ukraine and the Israeli offensive in Gaza—continued when authorities in Ankara confirmed with Reuters Saturday that Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan has written to First Lady Melania Trump urging her to contact Israel’s prime minister and raise concerns about the children suffering in Gaza.
Emine Erdogan wrote she was inspired by the letter Mrs. Trump wrote to Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, Reuters reported, urging Putin to consider the children caught in the conflict and that he could “singlehandedly” end it.
“I have faith that the important sensitivity you have shown for the 648 Ukrainian children ... will be extended to Gaza as well,” Emine Erdogan reportedly wrote in the letter dated Friday that was published by the Turkish presidency.
“These days, when the world is experiencing a collective awakening and the recognition of Palestine has become a global will. I believe that your call on behalf of Gaza would fulfill a historic responsibility toward the Palestinian people,” Emine Erdogan's letter added.
The White House did not immediately return an email request for comment on the letter at the time of publication.
Emine Erdogan’s letter comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday delivered a letter written by his wife, First Lady Olena Zelenska, to Mrs. Trump. That letter, delivered to President Trump at the White House during a historic meeting with Zelensky days after the Alaskan Summit with Putin, expressed gratitude for Mrs. Trump’s effort to protect children.
On Friday, global hunger monitor Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) determined in a report about 514,000 people in Gaza City and surrounding areas are officially suffering from famine. That number is expected to rise to 641,000 by the end of September.
“Widespread human suffering is present across the Gaza Strip and the killing of civilians seeking food continues. Increasing reports of malnutrition-related deaths indicate that the most vulnerable in society are beginning to succumb. This trend is expected to increase amongst vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases, before spreading to the wider population,” the report said.
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