Turkey’s Parliament condemns Israel’s attacks

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), İYİ Party and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have condemned Israel's attacks on Al-Aqsa by releasing a joint declaration.

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), "As the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), we strongly condemn this persecution and lawlessness," reads the declaration, which has been signed by all parties currently in the parliament of Turkey.

The political parties' declaration has "called on all international institutions, including the United Nations (UN) Security Council and the UN General Assembly, to stop Israel's excesses in Jerusalem."

"As the Turkish parliament, we declare that we will always continue to react to Israel's aggressive actions aimed at eroding the status of Jerusalem and the Haram al-Sharif, and the attempts to usurp the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people," reads the statement, adding, "We strongly declare that we will continue to defend the Palestinian case and the struggle of the fraternal Palestinian people for freedom, justice and independence."

Statement by Foreign Ministry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey has also issued a "Press Release Regarding the Ongoing Attacks of the Israeli Security Forces Against al-Aqsa Mosque." The press release of the Ministry has read:

"We condemn the continuation of the operations by the Israeli security forces with firing stun grenades and using force against Palestinian civilians worshipping at al-Aqsa Mosque and the violation of the sanctity of Haram Al-Sharif, despite all the calls of the international community. We expect these attacks to be halted as soon as possible.

"We reiterate our call to the Israeli administration to take the necessary measures in order to stop the attacks of racist Jewish groups and the security forces on al-Aqsa Mosque, and to prevent the racist groups from entering Haram Al-Sharif.

"The sad events that continued throughout the month of Ramadan in East Jerusalem and the West Bank have once again demonstrated the importance of the international protection of Palestinian civilians within the framework of the decisions of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the UN General Assembly, which were adopted under the leadership of our country in 2018. The only way to prevent such incidents in the occupied territories is to hold Israel responsible for its actions in the international fora."

What happened?

At least 305 people were injured as the police of Israel stormed Al-Aqsa in East Jerusalem on Monday (May 10) and attacked the Palestinians who were on guard to prevent possible raids, according a statement released by the Palestinian Red Crescent about the incident.

The Israeli army announced the launch of Operation Guardian of the Walls late on May 10 against the Gaza Strip. As reported by the AA, the number of those killed in the attacks by Israeli forces on the Gaza Strip rose to 24 and the wounded to 103, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Casualties increased by three following the latest attack, it said.

Tensions have run high in the Sheikh Jarrah area since last week after an Israeli court ordered the eviction of Palestinian families. Palestinians protesting in solidarity with the residents of Sheikh Jarrah have been targeted by Israeli forces. Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and annexed the entire city in 1980. (EKN/SD)