Trump's First Trip to Israel Speaks Volumes Read More on Page 18 May 12, 2017 | 16 Iyyar 5777
Vol. 14, Iss. 18
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Erdogan: Muslims Must “Flood the Temple Mount” to Save J’slm from “Judaization”
Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah (2nd from left) during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on May 8, 2017. Hamdallah’s office issued a statement saying that he updated Erdogan on the latest “Israeli violations” and an ongoing hunger strike by Palestinian prisoners. (Wafa)
By: Fern Sidman
W
hile delivering an address at the opening ceremony of the International Forum on al-Quds Waqf in Istanbul on Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan launched into a scathing anti-Israel diatribe; lambasting the Jewish State regarding its settlement policies in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem. He called on Muslims the world over to “flood” the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism, in order to 'resist the Israeli occupation,' according to an INN report. INN also reported that Erdogan said that all Muslims must go up to
the al Aqsa Mosque, which is located on the southern end of the Temple Mount. He said that that going to the Mosque would be the ultimate show of support from the Muslim world to the Palestinian Arabs. “Both in terms of our religion and historical responsibility, Al-Quds and the fight of our Palestinian brothers for rights and justice is of great importance to us. We will keep making efforts for Quds to turn into a city of peace,” he said. He condemned Israel for the proposed Muezzin Bill, which would limit the decibel level of the loudspeakers of houses of worship during the night and early morning. “The fact that such an issue is even coming to the agenda is shameful. The fact that those who
talk about freedom of thought and faith at every opportunity actually approve this step by remaining silent is noteworthy. We will not allow the silencing of prayers from the heavens of Jerusalem,” he added.
“The debates over the possibility of US moving its Israel embassy to Jerusalem are extremely wrong and should certainly drop from the agenda,” Erdogan said. Erdogan also called on the US to cease all discussions on the possibility of moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to
Jerusalem. “The debates over the possibility of US moving its Israel embassy to Jerusalem are extremely wrong and should certainly drop from the agenda,” Erdogan said. According to an IBT report, as many as 26,000 Turks visited the Temple Mount in 2016. However, Erdogan emphasized "hundreds of thousands" should be visiting the site, which is considered holy by Muslims. "It would be the greatest support to our brothers there. Al-Quds is holy for all three divine religions. It is the heart and summary of all human history,” he said. Erdogan also said that permanent peace in the region would only be possible with a "fair solution to the Palestinian issue".
Drawing a comparison of Israel to the racist practices employed in the past by the South African government, Erdogan declared, "What's the difference between the present acts of the Israeli administration and the racist and discriminatory politics that were practiced against black people in the past in America – and up until a short time ago in South Africa." "Here is the only solution. The establishment of a fully sovereign and independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital along the lines of 1967," Erdogan said.
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