During Abbas’ visit to Ankara, Erdogan promotes Palestinian unity

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed the importance of Palestinian unity while receiving Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ankara on Tuesday.

“Unity and reconciliation between our Palestinian brothers is the key element,” Mr. Erdogan said. Turkey rejects moves aimed at changing the historical status quo of holy sites in Jerusalem, citing Al-Aqsa Mosque.

His comments came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again postponed his visit to Turkey on Tuesday.

Palestinian officials also expressed hope for economic growth in the occupied West Bank, including the conflict-torn city of Jenin.

Mr Netanyahu was due to arrive in Turkey on Friday for an important visit, which he postponed after undergoing surgery to implant a pacemaker.

Jenin and Nablus have borne the brunt of Israel’s operations in recent months, killing dozens almost every day. More than 150 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire this year, the deadliest year in more than a decade.

Last month, 12 Palestinians, including three children, were killed and 80 percent of the refugee camp was destroyed as a result of an Israeli raid in the Jenin region.

President Abbas then briefly visited Jenin, his first visit in 20 years, after the residents came under intense scrutiny over the lack of support from the Palestinian Authority.

During the visit, Mr. Abbas also spoke of unity among Palestinians as flags bearing the logo of the ruling Fatah party hung alongside the flags of Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas at the entrance to the Palestinian camp.

The adviser said that the visit of the Israeli leader “will be rescheduled soon”.

The visit would be the first by an Israeli prime minister to Turkey since 2008, following months of efforts to strengthen ties with Ankara, a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause, which has cut ties with Israel for years over its actions in Gaza.

Israel’s raids on the occupied West Bank and the actions of its right-wing government have strained relations, and Turkey has criticized Israel over National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s visit to the Al-Aqsa compound.

Updated: July 25, 2023, 6:53 p.m