Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ankara on a previous visit. AFP
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ankara on a previous visit. AFP
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ankara on a previous visit. AFP
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ankara on a previous visit. AFP

Erdogan encourages Palestinian unity as Abbas visits Ankara


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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stressed the importance of Palestinian unity as he hosted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ankara on Tuesday.

"Unity and reconciliation between our Palestinian brothers is a basic element," Mr Erdogan said. Turkey rejects actions aimed at changing the historical status quo of holy sites in Jerusalem in reference to Al Aqsa mosque, he added.

His comments came as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again postponed his trip to Turkey on Tuesday.

Palestinian officials have also emphasised their hope for an economic boost in the occupied West Bank, including the conflict-ravaged city of Jenin.

Mr Netanyahu was due to arrive in Turkey for a landmark visit on Friday, which he postponed after he underwent surgery to have a pacemaker fitted.

Jenin and Nablus have borne the brunt of Israeli action in recent months, with almost daily raids killing dozens. More than 150 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire so far this year, the deadliest year in more than a decade.

An Israeli raid in Jenin last month killed 12 Palestinians, including three children, and destroyed 80 per cent of its refugee camp.

President Abbas briefly visited Jenin in the aftermath, his first visit in 20 years after coming under heavy scrutiny for what residents said was a lack of support from the Palestinian Authority.

During the visit, Mr Abbas also spoke of unity among Palestinians as flags bearing the logo of the ruling party Fatah hung beside those of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas at Jenin camp's entrance.

The Israeli leader's trip will be "rescheduled soon", an adviser said.

The visit would have been the first by an Israeli prime minister to Turkey since 2008, after months of efforts to strengthen ties with Ankara, a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause, which cut off ties with Israel for years over Israeli actions in Gaza.

Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank and the actions of its right-wing government have strained renewed ties, with Turkey criticising Israel over National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's visits to Al Aqsa compound.

Dates for the diary

To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:

  • September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
  • October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
  • October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
  • November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
  • December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
  • February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
The biog

Name: Abeer Al Shahi

Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan

Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.

Favourite activities: Bungee jumping

Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.

Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015

- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France

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Updated: July 25, 2023, 6:53 PM