Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoλουlu kicked off a two-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories today, the first by a high-ranking Turkish official in more than a decade.
Speaking after meeting with his Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Maliki in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Tsavousoglu said Turkish support for Palestine would not diminish even if relations with Israel thaw.
“Our support for the Palestinian cause is completely independent of the course of our relations with Israel,” he told reporters.
Tsavousoglu is scheduled to meet later today with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Tomorrow he will hold talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and Tourism Minister Joel Razvozov.
The Turkish minister is also expected to visit the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during his visit.
The recent clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police at this point of fire, a holy site for both Muslims and Jews, have escalated tensions in the region.
Tsavousoglu noted that reports of conflict have upset Turkey. “It is important for all Muslims to protect the sanctity and status of al-Aqsa,” he said.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki hailed Tsavousoglu’s visit as “historic”, with Turkey and the Palestinians signing nine co-operation agreements today.
“What we have heard has strengthened our position and what we are doing to achieve freedom and independence,” Maliki said after the meeting.
Israeli-mediated peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians aimed at establishing an independent Palestinian state in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza collapsed in 2014, and the two sides have not had serious talks since.
Israel and Turkey are working to restore relations, focusing on possible energy co-operation. The two countries expelled each other’s ambassadors in 2018 and have repeatedly clashed over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Source: AMPE
Source: Capital
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
