In the corridors of international diplomacy and in the harsh terrains of contested lands, the echoes of unmet aspirations for sovereignty and peace reverberate strongly. Recently, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of granting the Palestinians observer status in a bid for full UN membership, a poignant moment that underscores the global acknowledgment of their quest for statehood amid a devastating conflict with Israel. Yet it has taken the deaths of thousands of Palestinians and a global movement to initiate this motion of voting in the UN.

This significant vote—143 in favor, 9 against, and 25 abstaining—though not conferring full membership, symbolizes a robust global support for Palestinian independence and illuminates the pressing need for a two-state solution.

This gesture by the international community, however, brings to the fore a similar historical and ongoing struggle—a struggle that, like the Palestinian plight, involves a deep-seated quest for recognition and self-determination but has remained relatively overlooked on the world stage: the struggle of the Turkish Cypriots.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), much like Palestine, has been at the epicenter of a protracted conflict. This conflict, deeply rooted in the island's history, showcases a stark parallel to the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Just as the Palestinians have faced relentless adversity, Turkish Cypriots have endured years of strife suffering in the form of ethnic cleansing and genocide due to the actions of Greek Cypriot EOKA paramilitaries aspirations for Enosis. 

In the 1950s and 1960s, Cyprus was engulfed in violence, initiated by EOKA’s aim to achieve Enosis, or union with Greece. This period marked a dark chapter in the history of Cyprus, witnessing atrocities that bear a grim resemblance to those inflicted upon the Palestinian people today. The conflict saw the death of thousands of Turkish Cypriots and even British servicemen, caught in the crossfire of an escalating nationalistic fervor. The violence culminated in 1974 with Turkey's intervention to halt a coup d’état aimed at annexing Cyprus to Greece, an action that led to the division of the island but also brought a cease-fire and current fragile peace to the Turkish Cypriot community.

Fast forward to today, the world watches as Gaza, particularly its southernmost city, Rafah, currently reels under severe Israeli military action, a scenario reminiscent of the attacks on Turkish Cypriot enclaves decades ago. Both communities have faced blockades, international isolation, and a lack of substantial support from global powers, underscored by stringent sanctions and embargoes. The presence of the Turkish military in Cyprus mirrors, in some respects, the protective measures Palestinians seek against their aggression and occupation by Israel.

While international bodies have increasingly recognized the legitimacy of Palestinian grievances, the grievances of Turkish Cypriots have largely been met with silence or ineffectual responses. This discrepancy raises poignant questions about the criteria and motivations guiding global interventions and support. Why is the plight of the Turkish Cypriots not accorded the same urgency or visibility? Is this due to the historical nature of our experiences? Or perhaps the lack of social media all those years ago? Or is it perhaps the consistency of a Greek Cypriot propaganda machine which has effectively glorified the aggressor and vilified the victims, not dissimilar to how we have seen the propaganda machine of Israel work against Palestine.    

The insistence on a federal solution for Cyprus, which would subject TRNC to the control of the Republic of Cyprus, eventually forcing our community into a minority and potential subjugation is fraught with concerns for many Turkish Cypriots. They fear that such an arrangement could lead to renewed hostilities and suppression, similar to the years of oppression experienced under Makarios or by the decades faced by the Palestinians under Israeli rule. This fear is rooted in historical precedence, where attempts at integration and cohabitation just as with Israeli's and Palestinians have led to conflict and genocide rather than peaceful coexistence.

The current global landscape, with its complex web of conflicts, highlights an undeniable truth: the solutions of the past, including forced integrations or incomplete resolutions, have not only failed but have often exacerbated existing tensions. The lessons from Cyprus and Palestine underscore the need for a genuine recognition of self-determination and sovereign equality.

As the world ponders the next steps in resolving these long-standing conflicts, it must also reflect on the overlooked struggles. Both the Palestinians and the Turkish Cypriots deserve a future where peace is secured, and their political aspirations are fulfilled through a two-state solution, ensuring that each can coexist alongside their neighbors without the shadow of oppression.

In conclusion, the path to lasting peace in regions marked by historical and ongoing conflicts, such as Israel-Palestine and Cyprus, requires a bold reimagining of past approaches and a steadfast commitment to upholding the rights and aspirations of all affected populations. Only through such a comprehensive and empathetic approach can the international community hope to achieve the peace that has long eluded these storied lands.