Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan takes a bold stance over American Middle East peace plan
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*ANKARA: *Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday blasted several Arab countries for backing a Middle East peace plan unveiled by the United States, condemning it as “treason”.
“Some Arab countries that support such a plan commit treason against Jerusalem, as well as against their own people, and more importantly against all humanity,” Erdogan told his party’s provincial heads in Ankara.
Erdogan, a strong advocate of Palestinian rights, singled out Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Oman.
“Saudi Arabia in particular, you are silent. When will you break your silence? You look at Oman, Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi is the same,” said the Turkish president.
*Erdogan calls on Europe to support Turkey’s moves in Libya* link
On the conflict that engulfs Libya, Turkey supports the UN-recognised government in Tripoli while Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates back eastern commander Khalifa Haftar, who controls three-quarters of Libyan territory.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday unveiled the details of the long-awaited plan aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying that Jerusalem would remain Israel’s “undivided capital”.
Jerusalem is already a source of friction in relations between Turkey and the United States, which recognised the city as Israel’s capital in 2017 and moved the embassy there.
“We never recognise and accept this plan that usurps Jerusalem entirely,” Erdogan said, slamming it as a “disgraceful” scheme.
“Jerusalem cannot be left to the bloody claw of Israel,” he added.
Erdogan warned that everyone would be responsible for “grave consequences” of any step that encourages Israel, which he called a “rogue state” and a “terror state”.
The Turkish leader also said he would speak with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. -APP/AFP
