ANKARA: Turkey has condemned the clashes that erupted at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque on Wednesday, calling them “unacceptable” and a violation of its sacred character. The violence occurred as Israeli police clashed with Palestinians inside the holy site, sparking an exchange of rockets and air strikes during the Jewish Passover and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu spoke out against the attacks on the margins of a NATO gathering in Brussels, stating, “Normalisation with Israel has begun, but our commitment cannot be at the expense of the Palestinian cause and our principles. These attacks have exceeded the limit.”
According to reports, armed police in riot gear stormed the mosque’s prayer hall before dawn, seeking to dislodge “law-breaking youths and masked agitators” who had barricaded themselves inside following evening prayers.
Al-Aqsa Mosque compound
The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known as the Temple Mount to Jews, is a site sacred to both Islam and Judaism in the Old City of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem that has long been a contentious issue in Israeli-Palestinian relations.
Turkey has long been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights and has condemned Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians. The recent violence has renewed concerns over the situation in the region and the potential for further escalation.
The Turkish government has called for respect for the sacred character of the Al-Aqsa mosque and for the protection of the rights of Palestinians in the region.
The situation remains extremely tense, with both sides accusing the other of provocation and violence.
