UPDATE - Islamic world will do ‘whatever it takes’ to protect identity of Haram al-Sharif: Türkiye’s foreign minister

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS BY TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Tuesday that the Islamic world will do “whatever it takes” to protect “the Islamic identity of Haram al-Sharif with the same spirit.”

“The Muslim world will do whatever it takes to preserve the Islamic identity of Haram al-Sharif,” said Fidan during his address at the 162nd meeting of the Arab League’s Council of Foreign Ministers.

“With the same spirit, we will continue our joint action to put pressure on the international community to reject Israel's actions,” he added.

Israel’s efforts to alter the identity of Jerusalem and violate the historical status quo of the Al-Aqsa Mosque are reckless, Fidan said, noting: “The storming of Haram al-Sharif by hundreds of radical Israelis under police protection is a brazen provocation.”

He also underlined that the involvement of ministers in “such provocations” highlights the extent of the Israeli government's “moral collapse.”

Stating that “the collective punishment of people of Gaza is now increasingly spreading to the West Bank,” he added that Israel is taking advantage of the current conditions and exploiting the divisions.

Arab countries, Muslim countries, Palestinian groups, and institutions like the UN need to strengthen their ranks, Fidan urged, and said: “Only then we can stop this barbaric war machine.”

“The bloodshed we are witnessing today is a direct result of impunity after previous rounds of aggression. This time, it has to be different. Those responsible should be held accountable before international courts,” he said.

He also warned those supporting Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying that they are also accomplices to the ongoing genocide.

"They will also be held accountable,” he added.

Ankara submitted an intervention in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, Fidan recalled.

Emphasizing that they have come together at “a historic moment of responsibility,” Fidan said the global system has failed to prevent “genocide in Palestine.”

This is a time for unity and solidarity, he noted, and added that it is not acceptable that the lives of Palestinians, Muslims, and Arabs less matter than others.

Mentioning that Ankara has imposed trade restrictions on Israel, he said trade will not resume until Israel accepts a cease-fire and allows unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza.

A lasting peace cannot be established without a just resolution to the Israel-Palestine issue, Fidan stressed, highlighting the necessity of a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders and its importance for Israel’s security as well.

Noting that international law has clearly ruled that Israel’s occupation is illegal, he further stated that decades of occupation, oppression, and violence must come to an end.

- Israel’s illegal actions

“Protecting civilians in conflicts and providing uninterrupted and sufficient humanitarian aid is not only a legal responsibility, but also a humanitarian and moral one. Israel blatantly exempts itself from fulfilling these responsibilities,” Fidan added.

Necessary efforts are being made to deliver aid to the region, Fidan said, noting that more than 60,000 tons of humanitarian aid have been sent to Gaza from Türkiye.

“However, there is no, still no safe, unimpeded, uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to the entire territory of Gaza,” he added.

Highlighting his visit to the Rafah border during his visit to Egypt in August, Fidan praised Egyptian officials’ efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

“I witnessed firsthand how hard and well organized our Egyptian brothers and sisters work. I thank their efforts once again. I also highly appreciate the role of Qatar and Egypt in achieving a cease-fire,” he added.

- Turkish-Arab Economic Forum to hold its 15th session in October in Istanbul

Highlighting the long-standing close relations with the Arab world, Fidan said they share the same issues and perspectives.

Regular meetings are held and common agendas are shared, he said, and added that cooperation in trade, energy, and investment has been increased, emphasizing that there is significant potential in these areas.

“It is high time we strengthen our mechanisms of cooperation. There is no more time to lose. The Turkish Arab Economic Forum will hold its 15th session in October in Istanbul. This is one of our main instruments to further develop our economic ties and explore new avenues for cooperation,” he added.

Expressing Ankara’s willingness to renew and further develop existing mechanisms, he further added that the Turkish-Arab Cooperation Forum, the Economic, Trade, and Investment Ministers Cooperation Forum, and the Turkish-Arab Parliamentary Dialogue are among these mechanisms.

"There is immense potential, and we are ready. We do not only share the same faith. We are connected by our history, geography, and time-tested bonds of friendship and solidarity," he added.

Stressing that they face common regional challenges and threats, he conveyed that the issues observed in the region can only be resolved by the region's own actors.

He noted that, for this reason, they have long emphasized regional ownership.

- Need to work together for regional stability, security

The divisions within the Arab and Muslim worlds open the door to external interventions and manipulation, Fidan warned, and said this situation can no longer be allowed to continue.

“At this time of uphill in our region, our unity will be critical. Türkiye is sincere in its approach toward the Arab world, and has a necessary political will. We need to formulate a common strategic vision,” he added.

Emphasizing the need to work together for regional stability and security, he said: “We have no other option.”

Expressing Ankara’s readiness to work bilaterally and collectively and to build a partnership with the Arab League, Fidan noted: “Let us recognize the power and responsibility that we all have to forge a better future together.”