Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for the Muslim world to unite against Israel.
According to Turkish media, Erdogan made the remarks during a phone call with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. He told the Islamic Republic’s leader that the “Islamic world should be united against Israel’s attacks in Palestine.” Both leaders also discussed relations between Ankara and Tehran.
Erdogan and Raisi also discussed the April 5 attacks at the al-Aqsa Mosque. According to Reuters, the mosque was twice raided by members of the Israel Police. Officers used stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse worshippers inside the structure.
The Palestinian Red Crescent said a total of 18 Palestinians were injured – 12 of them in the first raid and another six during the second raid. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities said two police officers were injured.
Erdogan and Raisi also talked about the al-Aqsa confrontation in their call. The Turkish president noted the importance of preserving the status of holy areas. He also emphasized “reasonable thinking” in order to prevent further escalation of violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories.
The Turkish leader denounced the actions of the Israeli police at al-Aqsa, calling them a “red line” for Turkey. He said: “I condemn the vile acts against the first qiblah of Muslims in the name of my country and people, and I call for the attacks to be halted as soon as possible.” The raid on the mosque in the Israeli capital Jerusalem happened during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and on the eve of the Jewish Passover.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen told Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that the Israeli defense forces will respond to any attempt to terrorize civilians.
Erdogan blasts US ambassador, tells him to “use his head”
The Turkish president also denounced U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Jeff Flake for meeting with the main presidential candidate for the opposition – less than two months before the country holds its elections.
During a speech, Erdogan reiterated the official roles that diplomats such as Flake need to show respect. He pertained to a meeting between the ambassador and Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party.
“Shame on you, use your head,” the Turkish president remarked. “You are an ambassador. Your interlocutor here is the president.”
Erdogan added that the doors of the presidential complex in Ankara are closed for Flake so that he “knows his place” and his duties as an ambassador to Turkey.
“Let him know how an ambassador should work. If he doesn’t know, he can’t come in through that door. We have to teach America a lesson.”
Turkey’s May 14 elections will see Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu face off in the presidential race. The opposition candidate has vowed to unseat Erdogan and restore the parliamentary system. A constitutional referendum in 2017 resulted in Erdogan consolidating power as president.
According to the Eastern Herald, Erdogan has stated that he would not allow Turkey to be drawn into a conflict with Russia. Avoiding a confrontation with Moscow would become one of his campaign slogans. Aside from this, Erdogan has also expressed readiness to participate in the peaceful settlement of the Russia-Ukraine war. (Related: NATO takes in two new members in “deal” with Turkey as alliance continues posturing to launch WWIII.)
Watch this video of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan saying that Europe is suffering the consequences of its sanctions against Russia.