Turkey-UN to launch aid campaign for Palestinians

ANKARA

Turkey and the United Nations will launch a big campaign for Palestinians during the holy month of Ramadan, the presidential spokesperson has announced during a press conference.

As the term president of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Turkey will make efforts for aid campaigns in Muslim countries for Palestinians, presidential spokesperson İbrahim Kalın told reporters on May 9.

The move comes after the United States diminished aid for the Palestinian authority and the campaign aims to compensate their necessities, said Kalın. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will send letters to the leaders of the countries to make a call for the campaign, he noted.

The opening of the U.S. Embassy scheduled for May 14 is “null and void for us,” said Kalın, stressing that Ankara would continue efforts for preserving the religious and cultural identity of the holy city.

The Jerusalem question is a “red line” for Turkey and Ankara will not change its position regarding the issue, he said.

After U.S. President Donald Trump’s announced that they recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Turkey has been very vocal against the U.S. decision and had initiated a series of diplomatic moves to nullify any U.S. action that would threaten the special status of Jerusalem.

A large delegation composed by high-level U.S. officials under the leadership of U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin is expected to be present at the opening ceremony of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem on May 14.

This move is expected to once again fuel tension in Jerusalem, which was the scene of massive protests in late 2017 after Trump had announced his decision.