After more than a decade of rupture, Israel and Turkey announced on Wednesday August 17 the full restoration of their diplomatic relations and the return of ambassadors to the two countries. ” An important asset for regional stability, and new economic opportunities for the citizens of Israel “Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid immediately responded in a statement. What about the Palestinians?
With our correspondent in Ramallah, Alice Froussard
In the wake of the announcement of the restoration of relations between Israel and Turkey, the head of Turkish diplomacy hastened to recall: We will continue to defend the rights of the Palestinians, of Jerusalem and of Gaza. ” And he assures it, the messages of Turkey in relation to the Palestinian question “ will be transmitted directly via the ambassador “.
It must be said that the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is a defender of the Palestinian cause. He has often criticized Israel’s policies towards the Palestinians, maintains ties with Hamas – harboring some of its senior figures – and, just over a week ago, Turkey strongly condemned Israeli raids on Gaza, including those causing the death of civilians and children.
But this new chapter in diplomatic relations with Israel, although expected by most, is not viewed favorably by the Palestinians. On social networks, the Palestinians who speak out criticize Ankara, point out that this thaw in relations proves what the Turkish priorities are in the equation. But few Palestinians are really interested in this news. ” We didn’t expect much, but we ask to see “says a resident of Ramallah.
Hamas, for its part, was quick to react: Any normalization with the Israeli occupier is a legitimization of their presence on our lands “says Basem Naim, one of the leaders of the movement in power in the Gaza Strip. ” We expect Arab, Muslim countries and our friends to isolate Israel and put pressure for the legitimate rights of the Palestinians to be respected. “, he continues.
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