Israel acted with 'common sense,' Turkish FM says over al-Aqsa crisis

ISTANBUL

Israel has acted with "common sense," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Aug. 1, following the decision to remove metal detectors placed at the entrances to the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem after weeks of escalated tension between the Israeli government and Palestinians. 

“After all, Israel took a step toward common sense. Our hope is that Israel will develop an attitude that takes into consideration all sensitivities of Muslims about Jerusalem and the Haram al-Sharif,” he said.

Çavuşoğlu also called on the Muslim world to show its support to Palestinians by recognizing the state of Palestine.  
      
“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,” Çavuşoğlu said at an Istanbul meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).        

“We invite everyone who raised their voices to stop this injustice, to recognize the Palestinian state,” he said.        

Turkey currently holds the OIC presidency.
        
The meeting follows weeks of controversy over Israeli restrictions at Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque in the wake of a deadly shootout. 
       
Israel said the measures were needed for security, while Palestinians called them an effort to put the holy site under Israeli control.   
     
Criticizing the measures, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last week called on Muslims to rally to protect al-Aqsa.