EThis closed-door meeting takes place against the backdrop of very high tensions in the war that began 10 months ago between Israel and Hamas, with little progress on a possible ceasefire, the death of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, and Iran’s threats to retaliate against Israel.
Abbas and Erdogan discussed “the massacres committed by Israel in the Palestinian territories” as well as “the necessary steps towards a permanent ceasefire and peace” during their meeting at the presidential palace, according to Erdogan’s office.
The Turkish President denounced Israel’s behavior in the war triggered by Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, having called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the “butcher of Gaza”.
The United States, the European Union and Israel consider Hamas a terrorist organization, but Erdogan calls it a “liberation movement” and has criticized the West for its failure to pressure Israel to end the conflict.
During the meeting with Abbas, Erdogan once again criticized the silence of some Western countries in the face of the growing number of deaths in Gaza, an unacceptable situation, according to the Turkish Presidency.
He added that all countries, particularly Muslim countries, must step up efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and ensure the uninterrupted distribution of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians, according to the same source.
Abbas, whose visit is expected to last two days, has just arrived from Moscow, where he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On Thursday, he is due to address a special session of parliament in Ankara dedicated to Palestinians.
Erdogan had close ties to Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed on July 31 in Tehran in an attack blamed on Israel.
On the other hand, relations with Abbas, who heads Fatah, the rival movement of Hamas, have been more tense in recent times: last month, during a public speech in Rizé, on the Black Sea (northeast), the Turkish head of state demanded “an apology” from him.
“Abbas did not come, even though we invited him. He should apologize to us,” he said, without giving details about the invitation. “We invited him, let’s wait and see if he can come,” he added at the time.
Read Also: Abbas thanks Putin for Russia’s ‘courageous’ support for Palestinian cause
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Source: https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/mundo/2615605/mahmoud-abbas-encontrou-se-hoje-com-erdogan-em-ancara
