Condemning Israel's Actions At Al-Aqsa Mosque, President Erdoan: Turkey Always Supports Palestine, We Against Provocation

Presiden Turki Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (Sumber: Presidency of The Republic of Turkiye)

JAKARTA - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he condemned Israel's actions against worshipers at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as threats to its status or morale, while speaking with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

President Erdogan's comments come amid efforts by Turkey and Israel in recent weeks to normalize their long-strained relations as part of a regional charm offensive launched by Ankara in 2020.

On Friday, at least 152 Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli riot police inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, the latest in an upsurge in violence that has raised fears of a return to the wider conflict.

Most Palestinian injuries were caused by rubber bullets, stun grenades, and beatings with police batons, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.

"During our call, I informed President Abbas, I strongly condemn Israel's intervention against worshipers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, we will oppose any provocations and threats to its status or spirit," President Erdogan wrote on Twitter.

"Turkey has always supported Palestine," said President Erdogan.

President Erdogan later said he had discussed developments in Al-Aqsa with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, adding Israel's "intervention and provocation" had unacceptable results. They also discussed possible joint steps for regional peace.

Turkey has in the past launched various initiatives within the United Nations and the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), against Israel's actions against Palestine and its policies regarding Jerusalem or its status.

The Al-Aqsa compound sits on the plateau of East Jerusalem's Old City, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war, and is known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif, or the Holy Place. While for the Jews as the Temple Mount.

Tensions have risen this year as the holy month of Ramadan coincides with the celebration of the Jewish Passover.

Turkey, which supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, said it believes rapprochement with Israel will also help find a solution to the problem, but will not ignore commitments to Palestine for better relations with Israel.

Earlier this month, President Erdogan told his Israeli counterpart President Isaac Herzog, who he also met in Ankara last month, that Ankara expects Israeli authorities to be sensitive to Al-Aqsa during Ramadan, stressing the importance of allowing Palestinians to enter Israel.

Also last month, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said he would visit Israel and Palestine with Energy Minister Fatih Donmez in mid-May, discussing the reappointment of the ambassador with his Israeli counterpart during the visit.