Israel trying to harm Turkey-Palestine ties: PLO

PLO denies claims that Riyadh, Amman and Ramallah had asked Israel to ‘play down’ Turkish activities in Jerusalem

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH (AA) - A Palestinian leader on Thursday denied Israeli claims that Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Palestinian leadership had asked Tel Aviv to “play down” Turkish activities in Jerusalem.

Ahmed Majdalani, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), accused the Israeli government of trying to spoil Palestinian-Turkish relations by “promoting lies through its media”.

“This is a cheap attempt to spoil our relations with Turkey,” Majdalani told Anadolu Agency.

He went on to express “the appreciation of the Palestinian people and leadership for Turkey’s support for the Palestinian cause and the city of Jerusalem”.

According to Majdalani, there is “close coordination at the highest levels between Palestine and Turkey, who have continued to work together -- in regional and international forums -- to support the Palestinian national cause”.

Earlier Thursday, Israeli daily Haaretz reported that Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority had contacted Israel last year to voice their concern over “expanding Turkish activities in East Jerusalem”.

The newspaper went on to assert that the three governments had warned Israel that Turkish activities in East Jerusalem threatened Israeli interests.

Neither Riyadh nor Amman have yet to officially comment on the newspaper’s claims.

Kaynak: