An Arab diplomat from one of the mediating countries said Thursday that Israel’s opposition to including Turkish forces in an international mission in Gaza is not deterring Ankara. He said President Erdoğan believes most countries remain reluctant to send troops despite U.S. requests, and expects that President Trump will eventually need Turkish forces and ease Israel’s objections.
According to the diplomat, Turkey is already training about 2,000 soldiers for a possible deployment, as reported by Middle East Eye. Some Arab states are also quietly wary of a Turkish military presence in Gaza.
After meeting Pope, Erdogan praises his ‘astute stance’ on Palestinian issue
Reuters and Algemeiner
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan praised Pope Leo’s stance on the Palestinian issue after meeting him in Ankara on Thursday and said he hoped his first overseas visit as Catholic leader will benefit humanity at a time of tension and uncertainty.
“We commend [Pope Leo’s] astute stance on the Palestinian issue,” Erdogan said in an address to the pope and political and religious leaders at the presidential library in the Turkish capital Ankara.
“Our debt to the Palestinian people is justice, and the foundation of this is to immediately implement the vision of a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders. Similarly, preserving the historic status of Jerusalem is crucial,” Erdogan said.
Pope Leo’s calls for peace and diplomacy regarding the war in Ukraine are also very meaningful, Erdogan said.
In September, Leo met at the Vatican with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and raised the “tragic situation” in Gaza with him.
Turkey has emerged as among the harshest critics of Israel’s military campaign against the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in Gaza.
No comments:
Post a Comment