Turkey urges swift int’l action against Israel

Turkey has urged swift international action against Israeli attacks that killed and wounded scores of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and Jerusalem as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned of grave consequences should Israel's offensive endures.

"We call on the international community to intervene swiftly to stop these attacks, which will cause further loss of civilian lives," read a written statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry on May 14.

The statement came as the news reported that Israeli troops were preparing for a more comprehensive attack against Gaza as the death toll exceeded 109 as of early May 14.

"The rapid increase in civilian casualties in Israel's airstrikes against Gaza, the damage to the schools affiliated to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees [UNRWA], injuring the cameraman and photojournalists of Anadolu Agency serving in the region, clearly reveal Israel's disproportionate indiscriminate attacks," the ministry stated.

"It was learned with concern that Israel started firing tanks and artillery against Gaza this time," it added.

Erdoğan warned on May 14 that the situation may worsen in Palestine in case the Israeli attacks are not halted and called on both individual countries and international organizations to swiftly intervene.

"It is imperative that the U.N. Security Council rapidly take steps to ensure peace and tranquility in Jerusalem, in line with the decisions taken in the General Assembly. As Turkey, we are ready to actively support any initiative launched within the U.N. and to take responsibility for peace," Erdoğan said.

Turkey's stance based on principles

Underlining that Jerusalem is the sacred city for three main religions and that...