Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an end to the “despicable” attacks of the Israeli forces on Al-Aqsa Mosque, and “as soon as possible,” saying that the interferences and threats to the historical and spiritual status of Al-Aqsa Mosque must end “categorically.”
This came in a speech after a breakfast banquet with Turkish retirees in the capital, Ankara, where R. Dogan expressed his condemnation of the “despicable actions against the first qiblah of Muslims,” calling for an end to the attacks “as soon as possible,” adding that “it is clear that the wave of violence launched by the occupation forces Despite all the warnings behind it, the internal impasse is behind it,” noting that “this is called an unjust policy, a policy of blood, and a policy of provocation.”
He stressed, “Turkey cannot remain silent about these attacks. Attacking Al-Aqsa Mosque and trampling the sanctity of the Noble Sanctuary is a red line for us.”
Erdogan expressed his sadness and anger over the “terrorist practices” of the Israeli occupation police towards Al-Aqsa Mosque and its targeting of Palestinian Muslims during the month of Ramadan.
He explained that the assault with stun grenades, sticks, and rubber bullets on civilians while they were performing their worship, is an indication that those who carry out these practices are from the category of “in fact, they are more astray,” referring to the Quranic verse, “They are not but like cattle, rather they are more astray.”
Erdogan said, “Our Palestinian brothers who sacrifice their lives if necessary, in defense of Jerusalem, are not alone.”
And he added, “In my name and in the name of my people, I condemn the despicable attacks that target the first qiblah of Muslims, and I call for stopping them as soon as possible.”
In a separate statement, the Turkish president stressed that “the interferences and threats to the historical and spiritual status of Al-Aqsa Mosque and against the freedom of belief and the lives of the Palestinians must be categorically ended.”
And he stressed the need for the occupying power to abandon steps that would escalate and increase tensions, adding: “We will continue to stand by our Palestinian brothers in all circumstances and defend our sanctities. And Israel must realize that.
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