Turkey condemns ‘disproportionate force’ by Israel

ISTANBUL

Turkey on Dec. 9 condemned Israel’s “use of disproportionate force” on Palestinians protesting the U.S. president’s recent decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The Foreign Ministry stated that Turkey was concerned about Palestinian casualties sustained during the protests.

“We are deeply saddened and worried about the loss of four lives and the injuries of hundreds of Palestinians. This is the result of the intervention of Israeli forces against Palestinians protesting in the occupied territories following the [U.S.] announcement on Jerusalem, which contradicts international law and all related U.N. decisions,” the statement said.

“We strongly condemn the use of disproportionate force by Israel,” it added.

On Dec. 6, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the U.S.’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s “undivided” capital and said the U.S. Embassy would relocate from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The dramatic shift in Washington’s Jerusalem policy triggered demonstrations in the occupied Palestinian territories, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq and other Muslim-majority countries.