ANKARA

Jerusalem-based Al-Quds University decorated Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan with an honorary doctorate degree at a ceremony held in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
Speaking at the ceremony Erdogan said Turkey considered Jerusalem a city of tolerance, peace, and brotherhood, adding that his country wanted to see peace restored in Jerusalem. 
Erdogan slammed Israel's archeological excavations in Jerusalem saying that they threatened sacred sites as well as criticizing Israeli settlements which he said "besieged" Eastern Jerusalem.
"Israel's wall has separated Jerusalem from the West Bank, cutting their physical, political, cultural and social ties. Israel's aim is to isolate Jerusalem from the Palestinian territories," Erdogan said.    
Erdogan said Turkey would continue to extend support to Palestine in every field and he called on Israel to lift its blockade on Gaza and embargoes n Palestine.