In a broadcast on the Kurdish television channel Medya Haber, US author Debbie Bookchin, Icelandic politician Ögmundur Jonasson, and US musician and author Quincy Saul expressed their support for Abdullah Öcalan's February 27 ‘Call for Peace and Democratic Society’. They called for international rapprochement and political steps toward a democratic solution to the Kurdish question.

Bookchin: The time for talking is over

Debbie Bookchin described Öcalan's call as a “clear, urgent appeal” at a critical juncture. “No one has formulated the necessary peace paradigm as clearly as Abdullah Öcalan,” she said. “It is time to move beyond symbolic statements. Now all sides must take concrete steps toward peace—including in Syria. Developments in the north of the country offer a possible starting point for a democratic model. Damascus must also take action.”

At the same time, Bookchin criticized the cautious stance taken by Western countries: “The European Union and Western governments are viewing the situation in the region too narrowly. A stable and peaceful Middle East is also in Europe's interest.” According to Bookchin, Öcalan's proposals could contribute to stabilizing the entire region, including economically. “We who live in the US should put pressure on our elected representatives not to miss this opportunity.”

Jonasson: Öcalan is a light at the end of the tunnel

Ögmundur Jonasson, former Icelandic Minister of Justice, also praised Öcalan’s appeal as a “universal message to the world” and emphasized that a sustainable solution requires global support.

“Öcalan is a light at the end of the tunnel. What the Kurds need now is international solidarity with the contents of this appeal. I support this vision with all my strength and call on everyone to join this movement,” Jonasson said.

The Icelandic politician also called on NATO not to shirk its responsibility: “The responsibility does not lie with Turkey alone. As a NATO member, Turkey must be encouraged to enter into negotiations with the Kurds. NATO should make this a clear demand.”

Saul: An ideologically sound peace proposal

US musician and author Quincy Saul emphasized that Öcalan's vision is rooted in a long intellectual tradition. “Anyone familiar with Öcalan's writings knows that neither the call nor the possible dissolution of the PKK came as a surprise. All of this is based on a philosophy that he developed long before 2015.”

Öcalan's works, Saul said, have inspired left-wing movements around the world. “What is particularly impressive is that they were written under extreme prison conditions. The fact that he was able to write books of such depth while in solitary confinement is not only intellectually remarkable—it is almost metaphysical. I see him as a revolutionary mystic.”