THIS WILL END WELL: Erdogan urges Muslims to ‘visit’ and ‘protect’ Jerusalem.
“From here I make a call to all Muslims. Anyone who has the opportunity should visit Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa mosque,” Erdogan said in Ankara. “Come, let’s all protect Jerusalem.”
He was referring to a site, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, which is central to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel installed metal detectors at entrances to the mosque compound, which also contains the Dome of the Rock, following an attack on July 14 that killed two Israeli police officers.
Palestinians viewed the security measures as an Israeli attempt to assert further control over the site, and large protests led to deadly clashes.
“They are attempting to take the mosque from Muslim hands on the pretext of fighting terrorism. There is no other explanation,” Erdogan said in a speech to ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lawmakers in parliament.
Erdogan’s line seems to be that the only real terrorists are the imaginary ones conspiring against his regime.