Normalization with Israel won’t lessen support to Palestine: Erdoğan

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reassured Palestine that Türkiye will continue to pledge support and stand with the Palestinians amid a normalization process with Israel by exchanging ambassadors after four years of tension.

“The steps taken in our relations with Israel will never decrease our support for the Palestinian cause. On the contrary, our Palestinian brothers also state that these steps will contribute to solving the Palestinian issue and ameliorating the Palestinian people’s situation,” said Erdoğan at a press conference with Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas who is in Türkiye for a two-day trip.

The visit took place upon the invitation by President Erdoğan and a few days after Ankara and Tel Aviv announced that they will increase the level of diplomatic representation to ambassador in a way to fully restore ties.

“We, as always, maintain our solidarity with the Palestinian people and our support for the Palestinian cause in the strongest manner. Having recognized the State of Palestine the moment it was declared, Türkiye advocates the two-state solution on every platform,” he stated.

Noting that the steps that would be taken to further strengthen the relations between Türkiye and Palestine were addressed during his meeting with President Abbas, President Erdoğan said he reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for the Palestinian people’s welfare and development.

“Palestine always has a unique place in our people’s heart. We, as always, maintain our solidarity with the Palestinian people and our support for the Palestinian cause in the strongest manner,” he stated.

Erdoğan also underlined the importance of Jerusalem for Türkiye, noting “We by no means accept actions aimed at changing the status of al-Quds and al-Aqsa Mosque. We express our sensitivities and expectations on this issue to our Israeli counterparts in the clearest and frankest manner.”

HH Abbas thanks Erdoğan for support

For his part, Palestine President Abbas stressed that he discussed regional and global developments with Erdoğan as he thanked him for his efforts to overcome a global food crisis by mediating between Ukraine and Russia.

“I want to express my sincere thanks to Erdoğan for standing with the people of Palestine and his unwavering stance. We are well aware of his support to the legitimate rights, freedom and independence of Palestine,” Abbas said.