‘TURKISH CYPRIOT PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS WITH THE OPPRESSED PALESTINIANS’
TRNC politicians condemned Israel in statements issued this week. President Ersin Tatar said: “I severely condemn the Israeli Security Forces’ ongoing attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan and the forceful intervention to the civil Palestinian society who were praying there.
“I want to state that Israel needs to return from this mistake immediately.
“While I pass my condolences and wish mercy from Allah for 26 Palestinian brothers and sisters of ours, of which nine were children, who lost their lives and to the Palestinian people on my account and on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people, I hope that the international community takes action as soon as possible to end these inexplicable attacks.
“While stating that the Turkish Cypriot people are always with the oppressed Palestinians, I also want to remind, once again, how important the support of the Motherland and Guarantor country the Republic of Turkey is for the TRNC.”
In a message issued via social media, the President also wished a speedy recovery to Turgut Alp Boyraz, an editor for Turkey’s Anadolu news agency, who was injured during the attack.
Prime Minister Ersan Saner offered his condolences and urged the rest of the world to act.
“The world . . . should say ‘stop’ to Israel, which shed the blood of innocent children and has harmed regional and world peace,” he said.
“The Turkish Cypriot people stand with their Palestinian brothers and sisters today, just as before.
“The Turkish Cypriot people went through similar events between the years 1963 and 1974 because of the Greek Cypriots, despite the presence of UN peacekeepers on the island.
“We congratulate the struggle that Motherland Turkey gives on the issue of Palestine. We hope that they become successful in the name of humanity, in the name of peace.
“On this occasion, I would like to once again bring to the attention of our people and all those concerned the extent of the military, financial and economic support Turkey has given to our people and our state as a guarantor and as a country aware of its historical responsibilities.”
Parliament Speaker Önder Sennaroğlu said last Saturday: “I condemn the attack by Israeli security forces on hundreds of civilians who were worshipping at Al-Aqsa Mosque on the last Friday of Ramadan.”
A statement in English issued by the TRNC’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said: “We strongly condemn the air strikes carried out by Israel, following its attacks on civilian worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, which have led to the loss of innocent lives including children, as well as injuries of hundreds of our Palestinian brothers.
“We wish God’s mercy on those who have lost their lives and a speedy recovery to those injured in this inhuman attack.
“We expect an end to Israel’s attacks, which are being carried out unabated indiscriminately and disproportionately during the holy month of Ramadan, as well as respect for the legitimate rights and interests of the Palestinian people.
“We stress our belief in the need for the cessation of violence and settlement of disputes through dialogue in the Middle East.”
In contrast a tweet from the Greek Cypriot Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said it was “deeply concerned by [the] latest escalation of violence and by barrage of rockets fired indiscriminately from Gaza against [the] civilian population in Israel. This is totally unacceptable and must end now. We urge restraint on all sides, calling on them to engage in de-escalatory efforts.”
Nair Netanyahu, the son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Nentanyahu, tweeted on Tuesday: “End the occupation of Kurdistan and North Cyprus!”
The TRNC’s main opposition Republican Turkish Party leader Tufan Erhürman tweeted on Wednesday: “For days our hearts have been beating in pain with the hearts of the Palestinians. We stand by the Palestinian people against aggression, violence and injustice.”
The Left Movement issued a statement encouraging the Palestinian people to persevere.
“We condemn the violence inflicted by the fascist Israeli government against the Palestinian people,” he said.
“The occupation of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem by Zionist settlers and the violence inflicted by the Israeli government must end. Long live free Palestine. Long live resistance.”