Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday urged Israel to end Gaza blockade immediately and called on the international community to take action to fulfill obligations on Gaza.

Erdogan made the statement at the opening ceremony of the Istanbul Forum, organized by Stratim, a Turkish non-governmental organization which specializes on energy, the Foundation for Political, Economic and Societal Research (Seta) and the German Marshall Fund.

"This is crucial for the security of both Israel and Palestine," he said, the Palestine question was at the center of the Middle East problem.

"we do not believe that permanent peace and stability can be established in the Middle East unless this problem is resolved," he added.

Erdogan said it has been nine months since the Israeli operations in Gaza, and seven months since the Gaza Conference held in Sharm El-Sheikh.

"However, the tragedy in Gaza has not come to an end. Even construction materials are not allowed into Gaza for reconstruction of the region. It is impossible to neglect such a picture, such a tragedy," Erdogan said.

The Turkish prime minister said that the international community should uphold its commitments, which will benefit not only Palestinians, but also Israelis.

"I do not say this just because I am a Muslim. I say this because I am a human being and because of my humanitarian approach," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2009)