Erdogan calls for 'Islamic alliance against Israeli expansionism'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
7 Sep 2024 23:59
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According to the Turkish head of State, Turkey's recent efforts to strengthen ties with Egypt and Syria are part of a strategy to form "a line of solidarity against the growing threat of [Israeli] expansionism."

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan talks attends a join bilateral signature agreements ceremony with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi at the Presidential palace in Ankara, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called for Islamic countries to unite against "Israel's" growing "threat of expansionism."

His comments followed the reported killing of a Turkish-American woman by Israeli troops during a protest against settlement expansion in the West Bank. "Israel's" foreign minister rebuked Erdogan's statement and criticized the call for an Islamic alliance against "Israel."

"The only step that will stop Israeli arrogance, Israeli banditry, and Israeli state terrorism is the alliance of Islamic countries," Erdogan said at an Islamic schools' association event near Istanbul.

Erdogan said that Turkey's recent efforts to strengthen ties with Egypt and Syria are part of a strategy to form "a line of solidarity against the growing threat of [Israeli] expansionism," noting that this threat also endangers Lebanon and Syria.

In reaction to the remarks, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Erdogan's statements were "a dangerous lie and incitement." Katz accused Erdogan of collaborating with Iran over the years to destabilize moderate Arab regimes in the region.

Erdogan hosted Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Ankara this week, marking the first presidential visit between the two countries in 12 years. The leaders discussed the ongoing Gaza war and explored ways to further repair their long-frozen diplomatic ties.

In July, Erdogan announced that Ankara would be open to inviting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for talks to restore diplomatic relations, which have been severed since 2011. He stated that the invitation could be extended "any time" as part of Turkey's efforts to mend ties with Syria.

Murder of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi

The Turkish-American activist who was shot and killed by Israeli troops during an anti-settlement protest in the occupied West Bank is Aysenur Ezgi Eygi.

She was participating in a protest when she was fatally shot in the head, leading to calls from both Turkish and US officials for an investigation.

Fouad Nafaa, director of Rafidia Hospital in Nablus, reported to Anadolu Agency that Eygi arrived at the hospital with a gunshot wound to the head and, despite medical efforts to revive her, she did not survive.

Eyewitnesses said Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition at a group of Palestinians protesting against the illegal Zionist settlements on Mount Sbeih in Beita, south of Nablus.