GAZA CITY
The Turkish government supports reconciliation efforts between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas, Turkish Consul-General in Jerusalem Mustafa Sarnic said Thursday.
In exclusive comments to Anadolu Agency, Sarnic described the imminent formation of a Palestinian national unity government as a "strong" and "daring" move that boded well for a harmonious political future in the Palestinian territories.
Sarnic visited the Gaza Strip on Thursday to join dozens of Palestinian activists in marking the fourth anniversary of the deadly Israeli assault on the Gaza-bound Turkish aid ship Mavi Marmara.
The aid flotilla sailed toward Gaza in 2010 in hopes of relieving a crippling Israeli blockade on the enclave imposed since 2006, following the takeover of Gaza by Palestinian resistance faction Hamas.
The ship, however, was raided by Israel, raising tensions between Israel and Turkey, with the latter recalling its ambassador from Tel Aviv.
Sarnic said Turkey would continue giving assistance to the Gaza Strip even after the formation of the national unity government.
"Turkey primarily aims to lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip," Sarnic said.
The Gaza Strip, home to over 1.8 million Palestinians, has groaned under an Israeli blockade imposed since 2006, depriving the coastal enclave's residents of their most basic needs.
Sarnic said high-level talks between Turkey and Israel were still underway on lifting the blockade.
"We have to wait for the results [of negotiations]," Sarnic said.
He said lifting the blockade on Gaza was an important objective for Turkey, noting that Turkey was carrying out "important" projects in the Palestinian enclave.
"We need to work to lift the blockade so that construction materials can enter Gaza for the completion of Turkish projects," Sarnic said.
By Nour Abu Aisha
www.aa.com.tr/en
