Turkey will never let Palestinians disappear: PM

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

KIRIKKALE, Turkey

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Sunday that Turkey would never allow the oppressed Palestinians to disappear from their own territories.

In a rally in Turkey's central province of Kirikkale, Yildirim recalled that Turkey had revoked the U.S. decision on recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

"The occupied East Jerusalem is capital of Palestine," he said.

Yildirim urged the international community to support Palestinians against Israel's human rights violations.

"We will never allow oppressed Palestinians to disappear," said Yildirim.

"Jerusalem is the center of three monotheistic religions. We want a permanent solution based on peace and mutual consensus."

Yildirim’s comments came a day after he reiterated his support for Palestine in the wake of a Muslim bloc meeting in Istanbul this week recognizing East Jerusalem as Palestine’s capital.

On Dec. 6, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, sparking angry demonstrations in many Muslim countries and worldwide condemnation.

Rebuffing the move, an extraordinary Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Istanbul this week declared East Jerusalem to be Palestine’s capital.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- now occupied by Israel -- might eventually serve as the capital of a Palestinian state.

Yildirim said the government will develop a weapon industry in Kirikkale.

"Kirikkale will be Turkey's center for weapon production," he said.

Turkey's national rifle MPT-76 is produced in Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKEK) in Kirikkale.

The MPT-76 is the Turkish acronym of National Infantry Rifle.

It has an effective range of up to 600 meters and is capable of firing 600 rounds per minute at a muzzle velocity of 800 meters per second.

Justice and Development (AK) Party's Kirikkale provincial head Nuh Dagdelen said that the ruling party would be "stronger in the 2019-presidential elections".

Dagdelen said that they would enhance and renew their party structure.

"We will make Recep Tayyip Erdogan president again," he said.