Jerusalem issue could lead to Ankara cutting diplomatic ties with Israel, says Erdoğan
Speaking at the AK Party's parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday in the Turkish capital of Ankara, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed concern regarding reports that U.S. President Donald Trump may move its Israel embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, thus recognizing Jerusalem as the country’s capital.
“Mr. Trump, Jerusalem is the red line of Muslims. While the wounds of Palestinians continues to bleed and attacks continue, establishing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is not only against international agreements but is also a violation of morality,” Erdoğan said.
“We will follow up on this matter with determination and it could lead to Ankara cutting diplomatic ties with Israel,” he added.
U.S. officials have said that the move has not yet been finalized. The decision would violate decades of U.S. policy not to take a stance on the fate of Jerusalem on the grounds that this was an issue Israelis and Palestinians should negotiate and decide.
Jerusalem is sacred to both Muslims and Jews, as it includes sites known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif (The Noble Sanctuary), al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the rock, as well as an ancient Jewish temple.
“The Reza Zarrab case in the U.S. is a game which has with nothing to do with the law. Everything presented, including the so-called evidence, is all part of the mise en scene. Corruption is not at the center of this case. The U.S.’s own companies overcame their Iran sanctions, yet they are not aware of this,” said Erdoğan.
“This case is a reflection of the internal conflict of America’s domestic politics. Those who want to judge us for our trade with Iran aim to conceal their intentions to establish a terror state within our borders,” he added.
Erdoğan was referring to an ongoing trial in the U.S. against Mehmet Hakan Atilla, a former deputy general manager of Halkbank who has been charged with allegedly evading U.S. sanctions on Iran, in which Reza Zarrab is a witness.
“This case is the continuation of the Dec. 17-25 and July 15 coup attempt. I’m calling out to the U.S.: Have you not yet understood FETÖ’s coup attempt? Will you not understand? Turkey does not have a plan against the U.S., but the U.S. has a plan against Turkey,” Erdoğan said.
“The case in the U.S., which has nothing to do with the law, justice, or trade, is a game to try and distract Turkey from the developments in Syria. They aim to hit two birds with one stone. One is to accelerate the project in Syria and Iraq. The project belongs to a group within the American administration. The U.S. is undergoing a period similar to Turkey’s Feb. 28,” he said.
Turkish-Iranian businessman Reza Zarrab was arrested in the U.S. last year on fraud and Iran sanctions-related charges.
The Turkish government believes Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) is linked to the court case. The judge presiding over the case has proven links to FETÖ, and the alleged proof comprises of illegally obtained and fabricated evidence, including wiretap records by FETÖ-affiliated police officers.
“We will not allow the U.S. to establish a terror state near our borders. The game was to conceal the PYD, YPG and PKK as the SDF. Where will the weapons provided be used? Daesh has been eliminated. Who will the weapons be used against?” said Erdoğan
“We can see that there is a terror corridor trying to be established in northern Syria. When it’s a matter of national security and sovereignty, the rest are details. Turkey will very soon completely destroy the threats in Syria,” he added.
Turkey has criticized U.S. support for the PYD and its military YPG wing, the Syrian branches of the PKK, which has waged war against Turkey for more than 30 years.
