Turkish president calls for action for Muslims, Christians in Palestine to find peace

By Serdar Dincel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday called for action, "as the alliance of humanity, before it is too late for Muslims and Christians living in Palestine to find peace."

He was speaking over the phone with Pope Francis, according to Türkiye's Communications Directorate.

"Assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, head of the (Palestinian Group) Hamas' Political Bureau, and attack on Lebanon demonstrate that Israel poses threat to the entire region, world, and humanity," President Erdogan said during the call with the spiritual leader of the world's Catholics.

Erdogan said he believes that Pope Francis' talks with countries that support Israel to stop the attacks and achieve lasting peace will be beneficial before permanent damage is done to the political, security and social structure of the region and the world.

He said that the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza have turned into a “genocide,” adding that there is a serious humanitarian crisis.

Israel carries out its massacres under the diplomatic, economic and military umbrella provided by some states, Erdogan said.

About controversial scenes at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, Erdogan said: "Immoral displays at opening of Paris Olympic Games caused outrage and provoked reactions."

The president stated that under the guise of freedom of expression, human dignity was being trampled, religious and moral values were being mocked, adding that this offended Muslims as much as the Christian world.

He expressed his belief that it was necessary to raise voices together and take a common stance in this regard.

President Erdogan also said that the disrespect to religious values during the Olympics opening ceremony marked the “alarm bell for the moral collapse the world is being dragged into.”

For his part, Francis thanked President Erdogan for his efforts for peace and his sensitivity against the disrespect of religious values.