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Erdogan, Abbas Discuss Developments in Gaza, Palestinian Territories

A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shaking hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) in Ankara, Türkiye, 14 August 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential press office)
A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shaking hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) in Ankara, Türkiye, 14 August 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential press office)
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Erdogan, Abbas Discuss Developments in Gaza, Palestinian Territories

A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shaking hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) in Ankara, Türkiye, 14 August 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential press office)
A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shaking hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) in Ankara, Türkiye, 14 August 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential press office)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received in Ankara on Tuesday Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is on a two-day visit to Türkiye.

The officials discussed the developments in the Palestinian territories and Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza and the threat of a broader war in the region.

They tackled means to pressure Israel to stop its hostilities, reach a ceasefire and establish the two-state solution.

Abbas was received at Ankara airport by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

The Palestinian leader is scheduled to deliver a speech before the Turkish parliament on Thursday to address the Israeli violations against the Palestinian people and its war on Gaza.

Erdogan stressed to Abbas that Türkiye will stand against Israel’s attempts to spark a regional war.

Türkiye will continue its constructive, active and balanced foreign policy, he vowed.

Israel will be held accountable before international law for the genocide it is committing in Gaza, he declared.

Parliament is cutting its summer recess to host Abbas for his speech. The move is seen as a gesture of Türkiye’s strong support to the Palestinian people and their cause.

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Palestinian Leader Abbas Tells Turkish Parliament He Will Visit Gaza, Jerusalem

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses a special session of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) in Ankara, Turkey, 15 August 2024. (EPA)
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses a special session of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) in Ankara, Turkey, 15 August 2024. (EPA)
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Palestinian Leader Abbas Tells Turkish Parliament He Will Visit Gaza, Jerusalem

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses a special session of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) in Ankara, Turkey, 15 August 2024. (EPA)
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses a special session of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) in Ankara, Turkey, 15 August 2024. (EPA)

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday told Türkiye's parliament he had decided to visit Gaza and Jerusalem to protest Israel's war on the enclave, adding that he saw no end to the conflict unless Israel withdrew from occupied Palestinian lands.

Abbas, who met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday to discuss the war and ceasefire efforts, addressed an extraordinary session of Türkiye’s parliament general assembly at the invitation of the Turkish government.

In a 46-minute speech attended by Erdogan, his ministers and lawmakers from all political parties, Abbas accused the United States of prolonging the "catastrophe" by supporting Israel and vetoing resolutions at the United Nations Security Council. He also called on the world to legally punish Israel for its war crimes and violations of international law.

"I have decided to head with the Palestinian Authority (PA) members to the Gaza Strip. I will exert every effort so we can all be with our people to stop this barbaric aggression even if it costs us our lives," Abbas said, adding that he would also go to Jerusalem. He did not specify when he would visit.

Abbas heads the PA, which exercises limited self-rule in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

He received a standing ovation before and after his speech, which was also interrupted repeatedly by applause.

Türkiye’s invitation to Abbas came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the US Congress in July.

"On July 24, a war criminal gave a speech which was full of lies in the US Congress. Here today, Mahmoud Abbas stated the truth and the Palestinian cause in every sentence," Turkish parliament speaker Numan Kurtulmus said, speaking after Abbas.

Israel's assault on Gaza, which has killed more than 40,000 people, started after Palestinian armed group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7.

Türkiye has denounced the war and 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.

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