On August 22, Turkey’s First Lady Emine Erdoğan penned a heartfelt letter to U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, urging her to extend the same compassion she showed for Ukrainian children to those suffering in Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. Emine recalled their meeting at the White House six years ago and commended Melania’s recent letter to Vladimir Putin, which highlighted the plight of Ukrainian orphans, as an “initiative that instills hope in hearts.” She expressed her belief that the empathy Melania demonstrated for 648 Ukrainian children should likewise be directed to Gaza, where over 18,000 children have perished amid the conflict.
Emine Erdoğan’s poignant imagery underscored the deep psychological and moral toll: “The words ‘unknown baby’ written on the shrouds of thousands of Gazan children who have no one left behind them… leave irreparable wounds on our consciences,” she wrote. She painted a grim picture of war’s impact on childhood, noting that some children’s hair has turned gray from trauma and that many have forgotten how to laugh. She appealed to Melania to amplify her voice, suggesting she send a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for an end to the suffering in Gaza.
Emine framed her message as both deeply personal and morally charged, writing: “As a mother, a woman, and a human being, I hope you will nurture the same hope for Gaza’s children, who long for peace and serenity,” she said. She emphasized that while it may be too late for the children already lost, there remains hope for the surviving million Gazan children and that now is the time to act.
The letter comes as famine has been officially declared in Gaza City and surrounding areas, with humanitarian agencies warning of increasingly dire conditions. While Israel has dismissed famine claims and maintains its military actions do not target civilians, the scale of human suffering continues to draw global concern. The White House has not yet issued a public response to Emine Erdoğan’s letter.
This direct appeal from one First Lady to another—grounded in moral conviction and shared humanity, amplifies mounting international pressure for active advocacy and intervention amid one of the world’s most severe human catastrophes.
