Erdogan Doesn't Stay Silent About Israel Changing Al Aqsa Quo Status

Turkish President Erdogan (wikimedia commons)

JAKARTA - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that his country will not remain silent in the face of provocations and threats to the status quo and spirituality of the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

Through a phone call, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Israeli President Isaac Herzog discussed the recent raid by Israeli security forces on Al Aqsa. Also, rough intervention against those on the holy site, the Turkish Communications Directorate said.

Citing Antara, the last incident has hurt the conscience of not only Muslims but all mankind, Erdogan emphasized that Turkey does not remain silent at all in the face of provocations and threats to Al Aqsa quo status in East Jerusalem.

The tension that also extends until the Gaza and Lebanon Strips should not be allowed to grow, Erdogan urged.

President Erdogan accused a radical Jewish group calling for an attack on the Al Aqsa Mosque sparked reactions and concerns.

In addition to emphasizing the need to prevent repeated incidents of every Ramadan from becoming the Middle East's destiny, Erdogan emphasized that Turkey is ready to play a role in finding the root of the problem and taking steps to create a just and lasting peace.

Tensions escalated throughout the Palestinian territories after Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in East Jerusalem and expelled worshipers Tuesday and Wednesday.

The attack on the mosque sparked rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, which Israel responded to with airstrikes.

Palestinians accuse Israel of systematically trying to cahudize East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, and eliminate its Arab and Islamic identities.

For Muslims, Al-Aqsa is the third holiest place while for Jews calling it the Temple of Mount is the site where two ancient Jewish temples are located.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 Israeli-Arab War, then annexed the entire city in 1980 which until now has not been recognized by the international community.