Turkey’s FM Urges Support for Palestinian Satatehood
Istanabul, MINA – In the wake of Al-Aqsa controversy, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Tuesday called on the Muslim world to show its support for Palestinians by recognizing the State of Palestine, Anadolu Agency reported.
“Let’s support the millions of Palestinians who have been forced to stay under Israel’s occupation or fled abroad with our actions, not with mere words,” Cavusoglu told the Open-Ended Extraordinary Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Jerusalem, held in Istanbul on Tuesday.
“We invite everyone who raised their voice to stop this injustice and recognize the Palestinian state,” said the foreign minister of Turkey, which currently holds the OIC presidency. “An independent Palestinian state within the borders of 1967 should be established as soon as possible,” he added, IINA News reported.
Cavusoglu also reiterated Ankara’s support to revive the peace process under the framework of the two-state solution – a peaceful solution which calls for an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
“We all support the efforts of reviving the peace process. But there can be no lasting peace without law and justice,” he noted.
The Turkish top diplomat called on Muslims to unite to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque and the people of Palestine.
“Our drifting apart delights the enemies of Islam,” said Cavusoglu, adding: “We must act more consciously to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestine …We should continue our struggle more effectively on the international platform.”
The foreign minister welcomed Israel’s steps to lift metal detectors installed at the entrances to Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, following the shooting incident in Jerusalem’s Old City that killed two Israeli officers and three Palestinians on July 14.
“Israel took a step in the right direction. Our hope is that Israel will enter into an attitude that will fully take into account the sensitivities of Muslims to Al-Aqsa from now on,” said Cavusoglu.(R/R04/RS5)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
