ADDS STATEMENTS BY TÜRKIYE'S PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN, DEFENSE CHIEF, PARLIAMENT SPEAKER
By Merve Aydogan
ANKARA (AA) — Türkiye on Wednesday denounced Israeli police raids at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and the subsequent arrest of Palestinians.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry in a statement strongly condemned the dawn raids on the mosque compound, saying that attacking worshipers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan was unacceptable.
The ministry called on the Israeli government to immediately cease all provocations and attacks that may further escalate tensions in the region.
Türkiye's Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin also condemned the attack on Al-Aqsa, pledging to continue opposing "any attempt to change the religious and historical status of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa mosque."
He called on Israel to "immediately end" its attacks and protect the freedom of worship in Jerusalem and urged the international community to immediately take action.
"Palestine is grieving but never alone. We will continue to support our Palestinian brothers and sisters in the strongest possible way," Kalin affirmed.
Separately, Türkiye's Minster of National Defense Hulusi Akar also "strongly condemned" the Israeli attacks while speaking at an event in the capital Ankara.
"I strongly condemn Israel's action against people who have no (intention) in their heart and mind other than expressing and practicing their faith and worshiping," he said.
Another top Turkish official, parliament speaker Mustafa Sentop, said Israel continued its "uninterrupted persecution" of Palestinians during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
"I condemn the atrocities committed against our Palestinian brothers and sisters by the Israeli security forces, (who are) disregarding the spirituality and sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque," Sentop said.
He made a universal call to "condemn this inhumane atrocity and to support the just cause of the Palestinian people and to stand by them" as a humanitarian and moral duty.
The Israeli police on Wednesday said they detained 350 Palestinians from the complex, with witnesses saying they used excessive force including tear gas.
Israeli forces and Jewish settlers frequently carry out raids on the mosque.
For Muslims, Al-Aqsa represents Islam’s third-holiest site, while Jews call the area Temple Mount.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. It annexed the entire city in 1980, a move never recognized by the international community.