'Palestinian cause is top Turkish priority'

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (L) and Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki (R) attend the consultation meeting with ambassadors of Palestine to European countries in Istanbul, Turkey on March 03, 2019 [Cem Özdel / Anadolu Agency]

Israeli government aggression has proven a challenging test for the Palestinians, and Turkey is determined to defend the Palestinian cause, said Turkey’s foreign minister on Sunday.

“In addition to Israeli attacks on the legitimate and historical rights of the Palestinian people, some other actors unilaterally and illegally aim to destabilize the region,” Mevlut Cavusoglu said in Istanbul at a meeting with Palestine’s ambassadors to European countries.

Emphasising that defending the Palestinian cause in the international arena is a top priority for Ankara, Cavusoglu offered condolences for Palestinians killed by Israeli forces, as well as Abdulkarim al-Khatib, Palestine’s consul in Istanbul, who recently passed away.

Protecting the historical and legal status of Jerusalem is one of Turkish foreign policy’s top priorities, he said, adding:

This is a sacred cause to us. We are doing our utmost to draw the international community’s attention to the injustices in Jerusalem.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (3rd R) makes a speech as he attends the consultation meeting with ambassadors of Palestine to European countries with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki (2nd R) in Istanbul, Turkey on March 03, 2019 [Cem Özdel / Anadolu Agency]

“Israel, instead of learning from previous experiences, repeats the same mistakes. While maintaining the inhumane blockade in Gaza, Israel runs a campaign that feeds on violence and aims at crippling a two-state solution,” he said.

Read: Jeremy Corbyn calls for UK to condemn Israel’s targeting of Palestinians

“The nation-state bill passed last year by Israel’s parliament is a fresh example reflecting this mindset. We will never allow such attempts to cast a shadow over our goal of forging a just and lasting peace through dialogue and diplomacy,” he said, adding:

The more Israel intensifies its illegal activities, the more we will strive for justice and peace.

Turkey will fight faits accomplis in Jerusalem, including unilateral moves on the status of Jerusalem, which the US recognised as Israel’s capital in late 2017.

He urged the recognition of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, with a capital in East Jerusalem, based on the pre-1967 borders.

Cavusoglu pointed out that Ankara has provided more than $460 million to Palestine since 2005 and TIKA, Turkey’s state aid agency, has carried out some 550 projects in the country.

He underlined that Ankara’s main motive is to ensure that Palestine, with the backing of these projects, can grow a strong, independent and sustainable economy.

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Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (2nd row 4th L), Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki (2nd row 3rd L) and other countries’ officials pose for a family photo at the end of the consultation meeting with ambassadors of Palestine to European countries in Istanbul, Turkey on March 03, 2019 [Cem Özdel / Anadolu Agency]

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki and other countries’ officials pose for a family photo at the end of the consultation meeting with ambassadors of Palestine to European countries in Istanbul, Turkey on March 03, 2019 [Cem Özdel / Anadolu Agency]

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (2nd R) and Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki (R) attend the consultation meeting with ambassadors of Palestine to European countries in Istanbul, Turkey on March 03, 2019 [Cem Özdel / Anadolu Agency]

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki attend the consultation meeting with ambassadors of Palestine to European countries in Istanbul, Turkey on March 03, 2019 [Cem Özdel / Anadolu Agency]

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (L) and Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki (R) shake hands prior to their bilateral meeting within the consultation meeting with ambassadors of Palestine to European countries in Istanbul, Turkey on 3 March 2019 [Cem Özdel / Anadolu Agency]

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