Turkish President Erdogan Calls on All Muslims to Protect Jerusalem

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Presidential Press Service, Pool via AP) (Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Presidential Press Service, Pool via AP)

Is Turkey’s president calling for a Muslim holy war against Israel?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is urging “all Muslims” to defend Jerusalem from Israel and stand for the Palestinian cause, striking a tough stance and criticizing Israel despite recently improved ties between the two countries.

Erdogan, the president of majority Muslim Turkey, said Tuesday “it is the common duty of all Muslims to embrace the Palestinian cause and protect Jerusalem” and that safeguarding the Al-Aqsa Mosque should not be left to children armed with nothing but stones.

This appears to be a clear call to the Muslim world to take up arms against Israel.

Speaking at the first annual conference on Jerusalem in Istanbul, the Turkish leader also criticized an Israeli proposal to make mosques reduce the volume of loudspeakers issuing the call to prayer, calling the proposed bill “irrational” and “conscienceless.”

His comments come as Israel and Turkey prepare to exchange ambassadors as part of a reconciliation deal.

By: AP and United with Israel Staff

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