09 December 2017•Update: 10 December 2017
By Burcu Arik
ISTANBUL
Turkey on Saturday condemned the “use of disproportionate force” by Israel on Palestinians, who are protesting the recent decision of U.S. president on Jerusalem.
In a statement, Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Turkey was concerned over the casualties of Palestinians during the protests.
"We are deeply saddened and worried about the loss of four lives and the injuries of hundreds of Palestinians as a result of the intervention of the Israeli forces against the Palestinians protesting in the occupied territories following the announcement over Jerusalem contrary to the international law and all related UN Decisions.
"We strongly condemn the use of disproportionate force by Israel," it added.
On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the U.S.’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s “undivided” capital and said the U.S. Embassy would relocate from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The dramatic shift in Washington’s Jerusalem policy triggered demonstrations in the occupied Palestinian territories, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq and other Muslim countries.
Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem – occupied by Israel in 1967 -- might eventually serve as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
