Erdoğan: Turkey will Never Recognize Trump's Palestine Plan

Source: AA

Click to read the article in Turkish

President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Turkey has said that Turkey will never recognize or accept the US "peace plan for the Middle East."

"This plan aims to annex the occupied Palestine territories," he told a meeting of provincial heads of the AKP in the capital Ankara.

Stressing that Jerusalem is a "red line" for Turkey, Erdoğan said the holy city is the key to world peace as it has been for thousands of years.

On Tuesday (January 28), US President Donald Trump released his plan at the White House alongside Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The so-called peace plan unilaterally annuls previous UN resolutions on the Palestinian issue and suggests giving Israel almost everything it demanded.

Erdoğan stressed that a "rogue state" such as Israel, which executes innocents on the streets, is completely unacceptable for Turkey.

"Leaving Jerusalem entirely in Israel's bloody claws will be the greatest evil for all humanity," he added.

Idlib: Turkey will not stay silent

Speaking about the Syria crisis, President Erdoğan said Turkey will never stay silent on the issue, especially the situation in Idlib.

"We sincerely want stability in Syria and will not hesitate to do whatever it takes, including using military force," he stated.

On terrorism in the region, he said Turkey will never allow terrorist groups operating in Syria to threaten regional security.

A day earlier, President Erdoğan voice criticism of Russia's attitude towards Syria, particularly Idlib.

He said there is no such thing as the Astana peace process anymore, adding: "We should see what Turkey, Russia, and Iran can do to revive it."

Earthquake in eastern Turkey

Seven people injured in last week's 6.8 magnitude earthquake in the eastern Elazig province remain in intensive care, Erdoğan said.

After the quake, he said, "Turkey has carried out its most rapid and effective disaster response operation in history."

In response to the opposition's criticism regarding the earthquake tax, Erdoğan said the government has spent many times more money than the amount of tax that has been collected since the 1999 earthquake. 

He said donations made for the quake victims have been provided to those in need and the country has also spent a significant amount from its budget.

Turkey has been hit by a series of earthquakes since the start of 2020. A 5.4 magnitude quake jolted the western province of Manisa on Jan. 22, and the capital Ankara was rattled by a 4.5 magnitude earthquake on Jan. 23.

The worst quake was on Jan. 24 when Elazig was hit by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake, killing 41 people and injuring 1,600. (DB/VK)