While the strained relations between Israel and Turkey resulting from Operation Cast Lead appear to have been mended, Turkish President Abdullah Gul is very clear regarding his country’s support of a Palestinian state with eastern Jerusalem serving as its capital.

He released a statement that his country hopes in the future to open its embassy in the Palestinian capital in “East Jerusalem”. The Turkish president made his statement during a festive ceremony marking the opening of the PA diplomatic facility in Ankara in the presence of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen).

Abu Mazen told the media that the diplomatic complex was built with Turkish assistance and it “represents the friendship between Turkey and the PA”.

Turkey, which holds a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, states it will continue working towards the establishment of Palestine, a remark made in response to a recent statement from European Union Foreign Minister Javier Solana, who stated that if the two sides cannot reach agreement by a certain date, the UN must unilaterally declare a Palestinian state by a certain pre-set deadline.

Abu Mazen also used the forum to once again call on Israel to halt all construction throughout Yehuda and Shomron, calling on the international community to pressure Israel to comply. He stressed the PA would not agree to a resumption of talks with Israel until such time there is compliance with this demand.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)