President Erdoğan stressed during his talks that such undesired scenes, which are witnessed every year, hurt the consciences and prompt rightful reaction from the entire Islamic world and conveyed the message that as Türkiye, they will continue to work for the establishment of peace and serenity under all circumstances.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been conducting intensive diplomacy traffic, speaking by phone with President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres, King Abdullah II of Jordan and President Isaac Herzog of Israel in an effort to bring an end to Israel’s attacks on Palestine.
President Erdoğan first held a phone call with President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine on April 17 in order for Israel to put an end to its attacks on the occupied city of Jerusalem and the al-Aqsa Mosque. President Erdoğan stated that while they bitterly observed Ramadan in light of the events unfolding in Palestine, especially in Jerusalem, he wished Allah’s mercy on those who lost their lives in Israel’s attacks and for the recovery of those who were injured.
During the call, President Erdoğan strongly condemned Israel’s interventions against the worshippers in the al-Aqsa Mosque and stated that they would stand up to provocations and threats to the al-Aqsa Mosque’s status and spirit. Emphasising that Türkiye was always on Palestine’s side, President Erdoğan remarked that the incidents reminded them that all Palestinian groups must work collaboratively to achieve unity and reconciliation and expressed his gratitude to Mr Abbas for his prudent leadership in achieving unity as well as his calls for moderation.
“Israel’s interventions against the al-Aqsa Mosque are unacceptable”
The same day, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke by phone with UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
In a post shared on his social media account regarding the phone call addressing the incidents in Jerusalem, President Erdoğan said, “I emphasised during the call that we consider the incidents that occurred as a result of Israel’s interventions and provocations against the al-Aqsa Mosque to be unacceptable and we strongly condemn them. Additionally, we addressed potential collaborative efforts to establish regional peace with Mr Guterres.”
During the phone call with King Abdullah II of Jordan, President Erdoğan expressed his sadness and concerns about the incidents unfolding in Palestine over Israel’s interventions during the holy month of Ramadan. President Erdoğan stated that they agreed with King Abdullah II of Jordan on maintaining close cooperation between Türkiye and Jordan regarding the steps to be taken for regional peace.
Phone call with Herzog
President Erdoğan spoke by phone with President Isaac Herzog of Israel yesterday.
President Erdoğan stated that during his conversation with Herzog, they discussed bilateral relations and regional issues, particularly the incidents that some Israeli radical groups and security forces have recently caused in Palestine.
Emphasising during the call that it had deeply saddened them that over 400 Palestinians were injured and 18 people, including children, were killed in the incidents that were taking place in the West Bank and al-Aqsa Mosque since the beginning of the month of Ramadan, President Erdoğan said:
“We have been further saddened by the undesired scenes that were witnessed when fanatic groups raided al-Aqsa Mosque and interventions took place afterwards following the morning prayer yesterday and the day before yesterday as well as by the fact that the tensions spilt over to Gaza as well. Such undesired scenes, which are witnessed every year because of some radicals while festivals should rather take place in an atmosphere of festival, hurt the consciences and prompt rightful reaction from the entire Islamic world.
I would like to stress once again the necessity of not allowing provocations and threats against al-Aqsa Mosque’s status and spirituality during this sensitive period. I reiterate my call for all to take the utmost care to protect the spirituality of this sacred site and of these sacred days. As Türkiye, we will continue to work for the establishment of peace and serenity under all circumstances.”