Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for an independent Palestinian state in a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who described the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement as “very important".
Speaking at a joint news conference in Ankara with Palestinian President Abbas on Wednesday, Erdogan said Türkiye would “resolutely” work for a sovereign and geographically contiguous Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders.
Erdogan said the existence of a sovereign Palestinian state is being undermined by Israel and that the international community cannot ignore or remain indifferent to the situation.
The Turkish president accused the Israeli government under Benjamin Netanyahu of seeking to "remove Palestine" from the world's agenda.
"The Netanyahu government aims to remove Palestine from the common agenda of humanity by profiting from chaos and new conflicts in the region," Erdogan said, adding: "They will not succeed."
Erdogan warns over East Jerusalem holy sites
Erdogan said Türkiye strongly opposes what he described as provocations aimed at changing the status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque and other Islamic and Christian holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem.
He also condemned Israel for continuing unlawful actions in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
“Supporting Palestine is a shared responsibility of all humanity, particularly the Muslim world,” Erdogan said, according to remarks released after the meeting.
Palestine hails Mecca Agreement
Erdogan also stressed the need to establish the necessary conditions for reconstruction in Gaza and to ensure security in the enclave.
He said Türkiye would continue its efforts to support the Palestinian people and defend their rights, emphasising that a lasting settlement must preserve the prospect of Palestinian statehood.
Abbas was in Ankara for an official visit as Türkiye continues its diplomatic engagement on the Palestinian issue and the future of Gaza.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas described the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement as “very important”, saying he hoped it would serve as a starting point for ensuring stability and security in the region.
Abbas also thanked Turkish President Erdogan and “brotherly Türkiye” for its support for Palestinian rights and the Palestinian cause.
