Erdoğan urges Israel to change Palestine policy if better ties with Turkey wanted
Speaking to reporters in Istanbul following Friday prayers, Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stressed in his remarks, " Israel's policies on Palestine were unacceptable, but Turkey would like to have better ties with Israel."
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- Published Date: 02:41 | 25 December 2020
- Modified Date: 08:07 | 25 December 2020
Turkey would like better ties with Israel but Tel Aviv policy towards the Palestinians remains "unacceptable", Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Friday.
Asked about reports of contacts between Turkey and Israel, he said that the countries' ties on intelligence matters never ceased, but added: "We have some problems with the people at the top."
Turkey has been at odds with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu-now facing fresh elections in March-over several issues, including Israel's attitude towards Palestinian lands.
Turkey and Israel, once allies, have had a bitter falling out in recent years. Ankara has repeatedly condemned Israel's occupation in the West Bank and its treatment of Palestinians.
"The Palestine policy is our red line. It is impossible for us to accept Israel's Palestine policies. Their merciless acts there are unacceptable," Erdoğan told reporters after Friday prayers in Istanbul.
"If there were no issues at the top level (in Israel), our ties could have been very different," he said, adding that the two countries continued to share intelligence. "We would have liked to bring our ties to a better point."
Turkey has been at odds with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu-now facing fresh elections in March-over several issues, including Israel's attitude towards Palestinian lands.