Clashes in Jerusalem: What is Turkey's Real Position on This?

• 09.16.2015, 22:20
•  Near East,  World

Fierce clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces at Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem continue for more than three days. The Al-Aqsa mosque is considered a sacred place to Muslims and Jews. According to the Israeli police, the youths inside the mosque collected stones and fireworks and set up barricades to prevent closing the entrance, Ynet reports. At least one person was killed in the clashes, dozens of people were injured.

Palestinians say the clashes started on the eve of the Jewish New Year when the Israeli forces entered the Mosque and used grenades and rubber bullets against the Muslims that gathered there. According to the Israeli police the clashes began as the security forces found suspicious objects and wanted to prevent Muslim youths from harassing visiting Jews.

The situation is very dangerous as it can get out of Jerusalem and become a reason for new Palestinian-Israeli military actions. In this regard the international community has called on both sides to stop the violence.

It should be noted that Turkey has reacted sharply to the situation. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to reprimand Israel for "violating the mosque's sanctity." He noted that the Israeli government's actions are unacceptable and reveal the anger of the Muslim world. Turkey demanded from Israel to stop creating provocations in this area.

Turkey’s such reaction and its dual policy towards Israel causes real confusion. On one hand Turkey accuses Israel but on the other hand the Turkish-Israeli cooperation is obvious. In 2010 Turkey worsened its relations with Israel, trying to strengthen its position in the Arab and Muslim world. But the economic cooperation between the two countries continued to deepen and Erdogan's such rhetoric should be seen in the framework of creating an image of a country that protects Muslims.