Israel must end violence against Palestinians: FM

TURKEY’S Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Wednesday, that if Israel wants healthy ties with Ankara, it must abandon its wrongful policies and end violence against Palestinians.

“In order for Israel to maintain a healthy relationship with us, no matter which government is in power, it must first give up its wrongful policies,” Mr Çavuşoğlu said during a press conference in Ankara with Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey.

“Israel’s violence and aggression against Palestinians will only “worsen [our] ties,” he added.

Mr Çavuşoğlu stressed that Israel can have “healthier relationships with everyone” if it pursues peace, accepts a two-state solution, and respects the rights of Palestinians.

Israel’s latest assault on the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank last month killed at least 289 people, including women and children.

Health centres, schools, and media offices in the Palestinian territories were among the structures that Israeli forces targeted and destroyed.

Mr Dussey said at the press conference that many schools previously run by the Fetö in Togo have been handed over to Turkey’s Maarif Foundation.

He appreciated the foundation’s role in providing quality education to children in his country.

Ankara established the Maarif Foundation after the defeated 2016 coup in Turkey to take over the administration of overseas schools linked to Fetö.

Ankara accuses Fetö, a terror group blamed for the failed coup of 2016, of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

Voicing support for Turkey’s efforts, Mr Dussey congratulated Ankara on its progress and achievements in the fight against terrorism.

“These violent and extremist ideologies are affecting several continues, and if we don’t stop them, they may eventually reach our country too,” he said.

Togo, vowed to continue to stand with Turkey against terrorism.