Turkey has been increasing its presence in eastern Jerusalem, as can be seen from the appearance of the Turkish flags flying there. Its influence can also be seen in restaurants and local clothing stores.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has warned the state of Israel of the consequences of annexing territories in Judea and Samaria, emphasising that Turkey will not permit “Palestinian land” to be granted to anyone.
Erdogan, in a message addressed to Muslims of the United States on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, affirmed that Jerusalem is a red line for the entire Islamic world.
He said in the video message that Turkey is monitoring Israel's plan to annex land while ignoring Palestinian sovereignty and international law, saying that in the "eyes of Turkey", the city of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) is a red line for Muslims worldwide.
During his congratulatory video message to the Muslims on Eid Al-Fitr on Sunday, Erdogan said: “I ask God that these blessed days be a precursor to a period of reassurance, peace and security for Muslims in America and the Islamic world and humanity as a whole.”
Turkish President stressed that the coronavirus pandemic “showed that no region or country in the world has privileges or hierarchies.” Saying that the pandemic “paved the way for a profound question about the benefit and credibility of international institutions in facing global threats.”
“Our brothers residing in Western countries are exposed almost daily to the manifestations of anti-Islam and racism.”He pointed out that “Turkey made efforts to meet the needs of countries that requested it to support, including the United States, during the fight against the global epidemic.”
Meanwhile, according to a report by the Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs and State, Turkey has been increasing its presence in eastern Jerusalem, as can be seen from the appearance of the Turkish flags flying there. Its influence can also be seen in restaurants and local clothing stores.
The report also notes that Turkish support for Hamas in Gaza also explains the emergence of Turkish flags among Palestinian Arab protesters on the Gaza border, and that Turkey uses the guise of Muslim "tourism" to gain a foothold on the Temple Mount and other holy sites, possibly with the goal of taking over them.
Israel's coalition agreement between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz, which stipulates that the government can apply sovereignty over Judea and Samaria this coming July, has caused an uproar in the Arab world.
The plan has been condemned by the Palestinian Authority, which says that an application of sovereignty by Israel would be “illegal”.
The Palestine has received the backing of the Arab League, which said several weeks ago that an Israeli proposal to apply sovereignty over parts of Judea and Samaria constituted a "new war crime" against the Palestinian Arabs.
Saudi Arabia last week denounced Israel’s plans to apply sovereignty over parts of Judea and Samaria, saying it “denounces any unilateral actions, and any violations of internationally- sanctioned resolutions or any measures that might undermine the chances of resuming the peace process to achieve security and stability in the region.”
Last week, Jordan also threatened to review its relationship with Israel if the Jewish state goes ahead with plans to apply sovereignty over Judea and Samaria.
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