Erdoğan urges UN to act against Israel’s aggression at al-Aqsa

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

Palestinians scuffle with Israeli riot police after security forces blocked a road leading to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City on September 14, 2015. AFP Photo

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called on the United Nations to act against Israel’s “breach” of the sanctity of the al-Aqsa Mosque in east Jerusalem, a presidential source said late Sept. 14.

In a phone conversation with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Erdoğan described Israel’s actions as “unacceptable” and a cause for “serious indignation” in the Muslim world, according to the source, who spoke under customary condition of anonymity.
 
On Sept 13 and 14, Palestinians and Israeli security forces clashed at the mosque – a revered site for both Muslims and Jews – resulting in dozens of injured casualties.
 
Erdoğan demanded the international community put pressure on Israel to accept the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with east Jerusalem as its capital.
 
According to the source, Ban said the U.N. was concerned by recent developments and reiterated the importance of peace negotiations for reducing tension.
 
The two leaders agreed that Israel’s insistence on expanding Jewish settlements in Palestinian territory was against international law.