Erdogan calls Israel 'terror State' over clashes
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday called Israel a "terror state " after Israeli police clashed with Palestinian protesters in Jerusalem, The Associated Press reported.
In a speech after the breaking of Ramadan fast late Saturday, Erdogan said Turkey would always stand by Palestinians and urged Muslim states to take action.
It is reminded that on Friday, more than 200 Palestinians were wounded in clashes at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and elsewhere in Jerusalem, drawing condemnations from Israel's Arab allies and calls for calm from the United States, Europe and the United Nations.
Erdogan renewed his accusations against Israel, saying an attack against Al-Aqsa Mosque was an attack against all Muslims. Earlier, police blocked busloads of pilgrims headed to Jerusalem for prayer at Islam's third holiest site. Police defended their actions as security moves, but these were seen as provocations by Muslims who accuse Israel of threatening their freedom of worship.