Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visits Ankara

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has visited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the capital Ankara. Abbas was scheduled to deliver a speech in Turkish Parliament as well.

Thursday August 15 2024 12:21 pm

Reuters / Duvar English

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Aug. 14 that Turkey will continue to support the Palestinian cause and push the international community to increase pressure on Israel, his office said.

The two leaders discussed recent developments and the steps to be taken for a lasting ceasefire and peace in Gaza, Erdoğan's office said in a post on X.

President @RTErdogan met with President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine, who is in Türkiye to address the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (GNAT), at the Presidential Complex. pic.twitter.com/ky80yWAlaQ
— Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye (@trpresidency) August 14, 2024

Erdoğan condemned Israel's war in Gaza, the statement said, accusing some Western countries of remaining silent and continuing to support Israel.

Erdoğan also told Abbas that all countries, especially in the Muslim world, should step up efforts to ensure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians.

Abbas is set to address an extraordinary session of Turkey's parliament on Aug. 15.

Israel killed at least 40,590 Palestinians since Oct. 7 and displaced hundreds of thousands residents in Gaza as Israel army has been destroying nearly all civilian facilities.

Turkey has denounced the war and has halted all trade with Israel. It submitted a request to join South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide .

Turkey's invitation to Abbas came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the U.S. Congress on July 25, which Ankara has condemned.

"We will show that Mr. Abbas has the right to speak in our parliament just as Netanyahu has the right to speak in the U.S. Congress," Erdoğan told members of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Wednesday before meeting Abbas.

Erdoğan, who has been a staunch supporter of Hamas, said Turkey had also planned to invite the political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran.