Erdogan’s plea, a clear indication of his growing dissatisfaction with Israel’s handling of the conflict with Hamas militants in Gaza, was announced following a cabinet meeting in Ankara this past weekend. Among the issues he highlighted were what he described as Israel’s “expansionist” activities; in particular, the alleged targeting of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The ongoing tension around Jerusalem and the Temple Mount remains a sticking point for Erdogan and, in his words, is Ankara’s “red line”.
To put things into perspective, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which Erdogan is appealing to, has 57 member states and functions as the collective voice of the Muslim world. With such an extensive membership base, the response to Erdogan’s call could significantly influence the Gaza situation.
Erdogan remains unyielding, insisting, “It is unthinkable for the OIC, whose duty is to take care of the Jerusalem cause, to remain indifferent to these attacks. It is urgent that the organisation convenes at the leadership level without losing more time”.
Also on the table is Turkey’s impending appeal to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. This has come as a response to Israel’s killing of a Turkish-American woman, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, at a West Bank protest last week. “We will take every legal step for her blood not to remain on the ground,” Erdogan said.
Not mincing his words, he warned, “The genocide-committing Israeli leadership will absolutely be held accountable for the crimes it has committed,” signing off with an unmistakable tone of determination. REUTERS
