Accepting Palestinian President And Hamas Leader In Ankara, President Erdogan: Turkey Doesn't Accept Quo Status Changes

President Erdogan with President Abbas and Ismail Haniyeh (Source: Presidency of The Republic of Turkiye)

JAKARTA - President Recep Tayyip Erdoyan hosted the meeting of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and political leader Hamas Ismail Haniyeh at the Ankara Presidential Complex on Wednesday in the capital Ankara in a rare meeting.

A written statement from Hamas on Wednesday said President Abbas and Haniyeh agreed to combine "national efforts."

Political Bureau member Hamas Husam Badran said the meeting involved in an in-depth and honest discussion in preparation for a meeting of the general secretary-general of future Palestinian factions in Cairo, Egypt.

"During the talks, the Hamas delegation reaffirmed Hamas' stance on the importance of comprehensive resistance as the most effective approach to facing Israeli occupation and challenges facing Palestinian problems," Badran added.

Meanwhile, President Erdogan vowed to continue to support the Palestinian cause, voicing his concern over the escalating violence in the West Bank in recent months after meeting with Abbas.

Speaking at a joint press conference with President Abbas, President Erdogan reaffirmed Ankara's commitment to the Palestinian struggle and solidarity with Palestine.

President Erdogan further said Turkey would continue to support all efforts to ensure the safety and security of Palestinians.

He highlighted that the only way for a fair and permanent solution in the region is through a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

President Erdogan also noted that the involvement of the international community - especially the United Nations - in the Palestinian issue is critical to finding a solution.

"Turkey cannot accept actions aimed at changing the historical status quo of holy places, especially Al-Aqsa Mosques," said President Erdogan.

He added that establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital with the 1967 border is critical to regional stability.

Meanwhile, President Abbas said they appreciated Turkey's support for the Palestinian people.

"We would like to thank you, Turkish country, and Turkish people who have supported the Palestinian cause," he said.

It is known that Presidents Abbas and Haniyeh have not been able to improve their rifts since 2007, when Hamas, who opposed the peace agreement with Israel, controlled the Gaza Strip. Western-backed Palestinian authorities remain dominant in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, as quoted by Reuters.

"Given the efforts to restore wider and wider regional relations and reconciliation between some key players in the region, it means nothing to maintain a problematic relationship between Palestinian factions. Therefore, Turkey, which is the host of both sides, is an important event to drive the reconciliation process among Palestinians themselves. I think also, given Turkey's progress in its relations with Egypt and Israel, it will have a greater influence on the Palestinian issue. The chances of Palestinian reconciliation are very high. There is no good reason to maintain problematic relations," said Dr. Ali Bakzar, professor of international relations at the University of Qatar and senior nonresidential colleagues at the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative and Middle East Program.

"This demonstrates President Erdogan and Turkey's strong commitment to the Palestinian struggle and the importance of a two-state solution. It also sends a message to Israel that Turkey will not change course in this matter even though Turkey-Israeli relations move forward. It also sends a strong message to regional players," he continued.

"This will also strengthen Turkey's position at the regional level and serve Turkey's role in building regional stability and prosperity for the entire region," he said.