TURKEY CONDEMNS ISRAELI ASSAULT ON AL-AQSA

Ankara, 14 Muharram 1436 H/7 November 2014 M (MINA) – Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu harshly condemned the Israeli offensive on Al-Aqsa Mosque, calling it “nothing but barbarity to the core”, the Anadolu Agency reported yesterday.

Speaking after a briefing at the Turkish intelligence agency MIT, Davutoglu stressed that the Israeli aggression must receive a “stern response”, adding that Turkey always stands by the Palestinians, , Middle East Monitor (MEMO) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA), as reporting, Friday.

In a statement, the Turkish foreign ministry said that it “strongly condemns” the Israeli actions of “forced their way into the Haram Al-Sharif site”.

The statement added that the “ugly incidence constitutes a reckless breach of the holiness of the site as well as basic human rights including – in particular – the freedoms of belief and worship to be enjoyed by Muslims in Al-Aqsa Mosque.”

The Turkish premier called on all Muslims to own and protect Al-Aqsa Mosque, saying Jerusalem could not be “monopolised by a single religion”.

Regarding efforts his country might take to face the Israeli violations, the prime minister said: “We will also make the necessary efforts to ensure the international community give the most active response against the Israeli aggression.”

The news agency said that several international reporters and cameramen were hit by rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas used by Israeli security forces against the Palestinians outside the complex.

Many of them, including its correspondents, were injured after being physically assaulted by security forces.(T/P002/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)